Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry of Evansville
Timeline of Your Child’s Dental Health
Creating good healthy oral habits is important from an early age. Board-certified Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Aditi Jindal shares her expertise on important milestones in your child’s dental development.
Establishing Good Oral Habits for Life
It’s important to establish good oral habits from a young age. Dr. Aditi Jindal can guide your family on how to best prepare your child for a lifetime of happy and healthy smiles. Use this guide below to learn what Dr. Jindal recommends when it comes to your child’s oral development.
Have a question or want to book your appointment with Dr. Jindal? Contact Indiana’s trusted choice for pediatric dentistry today.
Timeline
Planning for your child’s oral development from birth, or even before birth, can ensure good habits are formed at an early age. When your baby is born, their first set of teeth (baby teeth) are already formed under the surface of the gums.
Before teeth have erupted, Dr. Jindal recommends using a soft cloth to gently clean their gums and mouth. This will keep their mouth clean and also get them used to having something in their mouth. These teeth will push through their gums around 6 months old. Baby teeth are important for eating, talking, and smiling. They are also important for ensuring the proper growth of your child’s adult teeth.
Dr. Aditi Jindal recommends children see a pediatric dentist by the time they are 1 year old, or their first tooth has erupted, whichever comes first. Read more about your child’s first visit to the dentist.
TIP FROM DR. JINDAL: Do not allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle in the crib, as this can lead to early tooth decay.
By the time your child is 2 years old, they should have had their first visit to the dentist and be visiting the dentist twice a year for regular checkups and examinations. By now, your child should be brushing their teeth twice a day with a child-sized toothbrush.
Dr. Jindal emphasizes that this age is key to establishing a good routine that will last them their whole life. Create good habits at this age, and your child will be well equipped for life.
TIP FROM DR. JINDAL: Stop using pacifiers, as these influence the proper growth of teeth
By this age, your child should be nearly independent when it comes to brushing their teeth, following a well-established routine in the morning and evening. Flossing can be difficult for children of this age and may require parental assistance. Regular checkups to the dentist for X-rays and examinations are important to prevent cavities and ensure proper growth of adult teeth. This is also the age when Dr. Jindal will evaluate for any orthodontics needs that could be required at this age or in the future.
TIP FROM DR. JINDAL: Lead by example! This is a great age for brushing to be a family affair. Not only a time to bond with your child, but it will also cement in those good oral habits.
By now, most kids will have their full set of adult teeth. Dr. Jindal recommends this age as a perfect time for orthodontics to straighten out any issues. Regular visits to the dentist as well as good oral habits are paramount at this age. Daily brushing and flossing should be happening with little to no parental supervision.
TIP FROM DR. JINDAL: Flossing is key at this age. By now most kids are proficient brushers, but this is when flossing becomes just as important.
Regular cleanings and routine exams should be happening every 6 months, and maybe more frequently if your child is receiving orthodontic treatment. This is the age when most children will have their wisdom evaluated and removed.
TIP FROM DR. JINDAL: Sedation dentistry is perfectly safe for children and is often times used during more intensive procedures or during special circumstances. Learn more about Dr. Jindal’s sedation dentistry options for children.
Sunshine
Dentistry Kid Zone
Come check out the kid zone for fun dental-related coloring activities and a brushing chart to track your child’s tooth brushing.
“Dr. Jindal was absolutely wonderful with my daughter. I would highly recommend her to anyone. She is very knowledgeable and answered my questions before I could even ask them.”
Anthony J.
Contact Us
Sunshine Pediatric
Dentistry of Evansville
701 N Weinbach Ave, Suite 910
Evansville, IN 47711-6607
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Hours
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
By Appointment Only
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