Preventive Dentistry and Nutritional Counseling
At Tiny Texans Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that the earlier your child’s first dental visit happens, the more likely he or she is to enjoy a healthy smile for life. Austin pediatric dentist Dr. Christina Ramirez recommends bringing in children right around the age of one, or when that first tooth comes in.
Kids who grow up visiting the dentist regularly tend to avoid feeling anxiety about the dentist as adults. They also tend to take better care of their teeth and gums.
With regular visits, board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Christina can spot potential problems in your child’s mouth in the early stages when treatment is easier and less invasive. She will also spend some time talking with parents to ensure that they are educated on taking care of their little ones’ teeth.
Preventive Care
Preventive dentistry leads to a healthy mouth for your child, and there are plenty of benefits to good oral health:
- Because diseases in the mouth can put the entire body at risk, children with good oral health have a better chance of enjoying overall good health.
- Kids with strong, healthy teeth can chew foods more efficiently, giving them the nutrients they need to grow.
- Children with healthy mouths can learn to speak more quickly and clearly.
- A healthy smile is attractive, so children have more confidence in their appearance.
- Preventive dental care means less extensive—and more affordable—dental treatment for your kids.
A preventive care appointment with Dr. Christina may include information about any of the following:
- Brushing and flossing
- Dental development and oral habits
- Fluoride treatment
- Sealants
- Orthodontics
- Parent involvement
- Nutritional counseling
- Sports safety and mouth guards
Nutritional Counseling
Most kids love to snack in between meals, and while this is a normal part of growing up, it’s still important that they are eating the right type of food. Letting kids eat candy and sweets and drink sugary beverages can lead to tooth decay. Healthier snacks with complex carbohydrates are better for growing bodies as well as their mouths.
If you want to offer your kids a sweet treat on occasion, serve it for dessert after a meal. More saliva is produced when larger quantities of food are being digested, and this can help keep teeth free from bacteria.
It’s also a good idea to put some limits as to the number of snacks your child enjoys throughout the day. Children who seem to be continually eating are much more prone to developing cavities.
If a sippy cup is part of your child’s bedtime routine, make sure you are only offering water. If your kids are drinking milk or juice when they go to bed and they don’t brush their teeth afterward, the sugar in these drinks will linger on the teeth.
Make an Appointment Today
If your child is ready for his or her first dentist appointment, give us a call to schedule a visit. If your child is older but still hasn’t been to the dentist, that's okay! We provide a safe and comfortable environment for kids of all ages.
Our entire team loves working with kids, from infants to teens. Call Dr. Christina and Tiny Texans Pediatric Dentistry today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that has been found to make tooth enamel stronger against acid buildup, which is one of the leading causes of cavities. The right time to start your child on daily fluoride toothpaste depends on how many teeth they have and their risk of getting cavities based on their diet, brushing habits, and family history of tooth decay.
If we find your child is at a higher risk of developing cavities, we recommend using a smear of fluoride toothpaste once a day once they reach the age of one. Otherwise, we recommend waiting until age two or three when most of their baby teeth have erupted. At this time, you can start using a rice- to pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on their toothbrush. We realize most children have not learned how to spit out the toothpaste at this age, but the small amount of fluoride toothpaste is still in a safe range to swallow.
You can also talk to Dr. Christina to find out whether your child would benefit from fluoride treatments at the dental office. Children with particularly deep grooves in their back molars might also benefit from sealants, which can prevent cavities from forming in those teeth.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Gracen Marriott
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Gracen Marriott, DDS, was born and raised in a small mountain town in Colorado where she spent time skiing, snowboarding, and hiking in the mountains. She grew up the second of five children, so her house was always busy, loud, and lots of fun! She completed her undergraduate degree at Duke University, studying Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology.
It was in dental school that she fell in love with the state of Texas and met her fellow dentist husband, Tyler. Dr. Gracen stayed at UT Health San Antonio to complete her residency ...
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