Dr. Gehring recommends that you bring your child in for their first dental visit no later than 12-18 months of age and/or when their first teeth start to come in. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s teeth now and may help to avoid dental problems in the future. Its also a great time for parents to learn what to expect as their child grows and ask any questions they may have.

Pediatric dentists can be considered the pediatricians of dentistry. Pediatric dentists primarily see infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs. Pediatric dentists complete an additional two to three years of specialty training beyond dental school. Since every child is different, pediatric dentists have a wide range of approaches to help a child complete needed dental treatment. A pediatric dentist makes a recommendation of behavior guidance methods for the child based upon health history, special health care needs, dental needs, type of treatment required, the consequences of no treatment, emotional and intellectual development, and parental preferences.

Primary, or "baby," teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. Baby teeth are very important to your child’s health and development. They help him or her chew, speak and smile. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded. That’s why starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come. All 20 primary teeth are already present in the jaw of a baby at birth and typically begin to appear when a baby is between 6 months and 1 year. Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth erupted by the time they are 3. Every child is different, but usually the first teeth to come in are located in the top and bottom front of their mouth. When teeth first come in, some babies may have sore or tender gums. Gently rubbing your child's gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze pad can be soothing. You can also give the baby a clean teething ring to chew on. If your child is still cranky and in pain, consult your dentist or physician.

A check-up every six months is recommended in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, based on your child’s personal oral health they may need to be seen on a more frequent basis. Some children require a more frequent cleaning due to braces or other dental appliances. Ask Dr. Gehring how often he recommends based on the circumstance.

The sooner the better. Starting at birth you can wipe your baby’s gums with a wet gauze pad or washcloth after each feeding to remove any excess liquid or food particles. This will also help your child get used to having their mouth cleaned and you can start using a soft bristled infant toothbrush. Once the first tooth appears, begin gently brushing with water and continue to brush the gums to avoid bacteria in the mouth converting the sugar in liquids and foods into acid that can attack the teeth. Your baby shouldn’t be put to bed with a bottle containing anything but water. For children under 3 years old use a ‘smear’ or grain-of-rice sized amount of toothpaste. Start by brushing the outside surface of the teeth starting at the gum line at ta 45-degree angle. Also be sure to brush the inside surface of each tooth using the same method, and lastly the chewing surface. Teach your child to spit out all the toothpaste after brushing. For children ages 3 to 6 years, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Also start flossing between your child’s teeth as soon as they start to touch. Be sure to brush your preschooler’s teeth and supervise the brushing and flossing of school-age children until they are 7 to 8 years of age.

A thin, protective coating that adheres to the chewing surface of the molars (back teeth) to keep food and cavity causing bacteria from getting stuck in the tiny grooves and crevasses of the tooth. Of course, brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent cavities it is still sometimes hard to reach those uneven areas where leftover food and bacteria like to hide. First molars usually come in around age 6 and second molars appear around age 12. Applying a sealant to these teeth once they have erupted can prevent cavities from forming for a few years before reapplication may be necessary. According to the CDC, "school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants." Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars.