Preventative Dentistry for Infants & Toddlers
Preventative Dentistry for Infants & Toddlers in Mission, TX
As a parent or caregiver, it’s natural to want your baby to grow healthy and strong. Even though taking care of a little one is a lot of work, one aspect that should never be overlooked is dental health. Preventative dentistry is crucial when the first tooth appears because it helps Dr. Alexander Ochoa Falla identify and address oral health issues early on, preventing more severe problems in the future. Scheduling your baby’s first dentist visit at Clover Hills Dentistry in Mission, TX, is a simple action that you can take to set your child on a path to a healthy and happy smile for years to come.
Preventative Dentistry Services for Infants and Toddlers
Clover Hills Dentistry understands that taking a baby or toddler to their first preventative dental visit can initially feel overwhelming. So, Dr. Ochoa and his Mission pediatric dentistry staff take things slow for parents and their little ones to ensure that families receive the compassionate care they deserve. Also, scheduling dental appointments during infancy helps children get used to our dental office. It allows our pediatric dentist to assess the earliest stages of development, making future appointments more manageable.
Dr. Ochoa performs pediatric dentistry with a personal touch, and some preventative services for infants that he offers include:
Lap Visits
If your little one is 1 or 2 years old, Dr. Ochoa will perform a lap exam, meaning infants sit comfortably on the parent’s lap. At the same time, our dental team carefully examines their mouth to improve safety, comfort, and efficacy for our youngest patients.
Dental Cleaning
While Dr. Ochoa probably won’t suggest cleaning a baby’s mouth before age 2, our pediatric dental team might perform an age-appropriate gentle cleaning on a 2, 3, 4, or 5-year-old to help kids feel relaxed and comfortable with the process.
Lip or Tongue Tie Surgery
Suppose your pediatrician or our Mission pediatric dentist suspects your infant has a lip or tongue tie. In that case, Dr. Ochoa often suggests undergoing lip or tongue tie surgery to improve orofacial function.
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Dr. Ochoa can monitor and treat your little one
Education For Parents
Even before their first tooth erupts, the mouth and gums require specific care to ensure they are strong enough to support growing smiles. By learning and applying dental knowledge at an early age, parents can establish and maintain healthy oral habits, reduce the risk of tooth decay, and prevent major dental issues down the road. Since Dr. Ochoa wants your little one to have a bright future with a bright smile, the Clover Hills Dentistry team might go over the following topics regarding your baby’s oral health:
Dr. Ochoa performs pediatric dentistry with a personal touch, and some preventative services for infants that he offers include:
Early Childhood Caries
Early childhood caries (or baby bottle tooth decay) is a medical term that describes cavities in infants and young children. Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when babies have frequent contact with the sugar found in milk, formula, juice, and other foods in their diet. Cavity-causing bacteria feed on sugar, multiply, and produce waste products that destroy baby teeth.
Teething & Tooth Eruption
Teething is a natural process when the teeth move and emerge through the gums. While tooth eruption can be equally exciting and frustrating for parents, Dr. Ochoa is here to answer questions and teach parents the tricks of the trade about teething.
Bottle Feeding Habits
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents ween their children off bottle-feeding between their first and second birthdays. Even if prolonged bottle feeding seems harmless (or even cute), it can negatively impact muscle development, misalign teeth, and increase a child’s risk for cavities.
Non-Nutritive Sucking Habits
Even though many babies suckle on pacifiers, blankets, or their fingers for comfort, they should kick this habit by age 4 to prevent dental alignment issues, facial abnormalities, and orofacial myofunctional disorders (abnormal movement patterns of the face and mouth).
Serving Mission, TX: Clover Hills Dentistry is a Quality Dental Care Experience for the Whole Family
At Clover Hills Dentistry, we pride ourselves on having a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Our team is committed to providing quality care in a supportive and comfortable environment so your child can feel at ease during their visit. Is your baby due for a dental visit? Don’t delay! Call 956-997-9799 or send us a short message online to schedule a pediatric dentistry appointment at Clover Hills Dentistry in Mission, TX.