Your child should be naturally proud of his or her smile. It expresses joy, laughter, and fun! To make sure your child has a healthy and attractive smile, start early. Really early.
Dr. Chris Hammond recommends that you bring your child in for their first dental visit soon after their first birthday. An early check is the first step in preventing issues and setting the stage for lifelong dental health. Dr. Hammond will keep the visit short, but complete a thorough visual examination to make sure there are no concerns.
Dr. Hammond will guide you on good dental procedures at home, such as correct brushing and flossing. You will also be guided regarding healthy eating choices and the consequences of poor choices. It is especially critical to keep your toddler from eating sticky or hard candies that lodge in molars and spaces between teeth. It is also important to monitor the amount of juice they drink and keep it in a cup instead of a bottle.
Any time sugary foods or drinks are in contact with teeth, the enamel is weakened from the acid those substances contain. Prolonged exposure begins to wear the enamel away, setting the stage for cavities. Unlike broken bones that regenerate, once enamel is gone, it’s essentially gone, though fluoride can remineralize weakened enamel to a small degree.
Promoting a healthy, low sugar diet is always optimal for your toddler’s teeth. If your baby or toddler needs a bottle to calm down and go to sleep, make sure that the bottle contains only water.
Other vital habits are to brush and floss your teeth in front of your child. (If you have never been regular flossing – it’s time to start!) Let them see that it is a priority and a comfortable habit in your life. Brush their teeth with a soft bristled brush and a small amount of toothpaste. Let them try it, but always go over their teeth afterward, making sure each tooth is brushed. When finished, give them a cup of water to help rinse the toothpaste out.
Before coming to Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, meet with your child about the upcoming appointment and let them know that their teeth are going to be checked. Dr. Hammond will help your child feel proud of their effort and help them have a favorable visit, the first of many to come.
Call Dr. Hammond at 801-374-0070 to schedule an appointment. Remember also to call any time between scheduled visits with any questions or concerns that might arise. We are passionate about your child’s lifelong dental health.
Dr. Hammond serves many families in the Orem area with skill and compassion. Some of our patients come from Utah County, American Fork, and Lehi. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we love working with children and will help your child have a favorable experience learning to care for their teeth.
At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we focus our efforts on . Each member of our caring team is committed to making our youngest patients feel safe and comfortable. Our patients enjoy the friendly atmosphere while benefitting from our state-of-the-art technology.
Some of our most popular services include:
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Dental Implants
- Porcelain Veneers
- Dental Crowns
- Invisalign Clear Braces
- Teeth Whitening
- Sedation Dentistry
Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
801-374-0070
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604
