New Hudson, MI Pediatric Dentistry for Kids

Start your child on the path to a lifetime of good oral health and a positive view of the dentist with dentistry for kids at Kari Family Dentistry. Regular checkups promote a healthy mouth and overall well-being, as they enable Dr. Kari to catch decay early and treat it promptly. At these appointments, teeth alignment, eruption of permanent teeth, and loss of baby teeth are also monitored; if anything is abnormal, it can be treated early.

During your child’s initial visit at our New Hudson dental office, Dr. Kari will simply introduce your child to the world of dentistry and to our team. In subsequent visits we practice the “tell, show, do” technique: we tell and narrate the procedure, show what we will be doing, and then do the procedure. We find that this level of explanation makes visits as enjoyable as possible with least amount of stress.

When should your child visit Kari Family Dentistry?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at six and 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.

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At-Home Hygiene Care

Your child's first primary or baby teeth will begin to erupt between the ages of six and 12 months, and will continue to erupt until about age three. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth.

As your child's teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime.

Your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When your baby's tooth erupts, brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by Dr. Kari.

Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and Dr. Kari will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact our office immediately.

Checkups and Cleanings

Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in the mouth that turn into an acid, which can break down tooth enamel. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits with Dr. Kari help keep tooth decay away.

Your child should visit our New Hudson dental office every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal” the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your child's regular checkups.