Ascension Pediatric Dentist Archives - Baton Rouge Family Fun

5 Tips to Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy – Dental Health Month

February 22, 2022 by Guest Contributor

Being a mom to an infant or toddler is hard work. We know. With everything else going on, sometimes moms miss a very important aspect of their children’s well-being: their dental health. Statistically, 28% of children ages 2 to 5 will have dental caries in their primary teeth. That statistic is alarming to us pediatric dentists! We’re here to provide some helpful tips for your child to avoid early childhood dental caries and to promote a lifetime of healthy smiles, the first thing is to make sure you hire the right dentist, like Family Dentist, Mark S. Frey, DDS. He is honestly the best dentist who can work with kids and make them feel comfortable, that´s where I take my kids and that´s where you should take yours. But if I can´t go to him, what I do is to make sure the dentist I use knows about parramatta dental surgery, it will show you how much they care about what they do, the last time I went to the dentist I found one that gave use to Dental Marketing Ninjas: Local Search Optimization – Dominating Local Search and I was pretty surprised by their skills.

Bottle Feeding & Nursing – Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bed time bottle/sippy cup once their first teeth erupt. Limit your child’s intake of sugary beverages to 1 cup a day and mealtimes are best.
Home Care – Once your child’s first tooth erupts, proper oral hygiene practices should be implemented. Clean your infant’s teeth and gums routinely with a soft, age appropriate toothbrush and pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make it fun! Play your child’s favorite song while you brush.
1^st Dental Checkup – Schedule your child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist as soon as the first tooth appears or no later than his or her first birthday.
Balanced Diet – Infants and young children should be provided a balanced diet. Offer healthier alternatives to sugary snacks and beverages like apple slices with string cheese, carrots and hummus, whole grain pretzels or pita chips, and low fat yogurt. Offer almond milk or water to quench your little one’s thirst.
Use a Cup by Age 1 – The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages parents to have children drink from a cup by their first birthday.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule your child’s first dental checkup, you can visit www.ascensionsmiles.com. Our Board Certified Pediatric Dentist is here to help!

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Moms where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this site is to share BRM moms’ experiences with food, fitness, health and life as well as opinions from some of our local experts. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. When it comes to your health or the health of your child, please be sure to contact your physician.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit: What to Expect

February 10, 2021 by Guest Contributor

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Family Fun where local experts share their thoughts, and opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, and parenting. If you have a question for one of our experts, please leave it in the comments below to be featured in an upcoming article. February is Children’s Dental Health Month and we have an informative article from Ascension Children’s Dental.

As a parent, you may be surprised to learn that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you take your child to the dentist when the first tooth erupts or by your child’s first birthday, whichever comes first. Many parents make the mistake of bringing their children to the dentist when they have their first toothache. This can lead to a more traumatic experience for your child’s first visit, resulting in unnecessary fear of the dentist.
Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be as easy and pleasant as possible. At our office, I believe in keeping this first appointment short. During the visit, I will evaluate your child’s teeth and gums and discuss any relevant oral hygiene instructions with you. If your child is older for their first visit, then I may recommend a cleaning and fluoride treatment. This first appointment really helps our team develop a trusting relationship with your child to promote stress-free dental appointments in the future.
As a parent, it’s important for you to know that your child’s behavior towards the dentist is usually a reflection of your own attitude and level of anxiety.
I put together some tips to prepare your child for his/her dental visit, no matter their age, to help the visit go smoothly:

Make an appointment for a time of day that works best for your child. We do not recommend scheduling their appointment during nap time or when they are just waking up from a nap.
Parents are welcome and encouraged to accompany their children during the initial exam. This allows us the opportunity to communicate directly with you about your child’s dental health.
During the initial exam, I often will have you hold your child in your lap with their head positioned in my lap. Before the appointment, you can practice holding your child in this knee-to-knee position so he or she knows what to expect when the time comes.
Never convey anxiety to your child. Children are very receptive to words, moods, tones and body language. If a child can sense that you are fearful, they are likely to anticipate discomfort and become fearful too. Tell your child about the visit but don’t go into detail. Over-preparing your child can create anxiety.
Watch what you say around your child. Never let your child hear of any past bad dental visits – either experienced by yourself or siblings. Be aware not to use words like “needle”, “drill”, “shot”, “pinch”, “yank”, or “pull.” Never tell your child that something may or may not “hurt.” Explain to your child that the pediatric dentist will count his/her teeth and will help them with the important job of keeping their teeth clean and beautiful. Keep it simple!
Do not be alarmed if your child cries during the first visit. Crying is perfectly normal. Remain positive and supportive and work with me during this time.

The more positive and supportive you can remain before and after your child’s first dental visit, the better says Dr. Swauger, a pediatric dentist. He said that it is the parents job to build Healthy Habits For Your Kids. Each time your child visits the dental office, it will be easier and easier, especially if they remember the previous experience as a positive and enjoyable one. Your child will also be more likely to develop good oral hygiene habits and want to take good care of their teeth. Developing a good relationship at an early age with the dentist will most often help your children carry these routines well into their adult lives.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule your child’s first appointment, please visit www.ascensionsmiles.com or call (225) 402-4118.

Babies First Dental Visit

February 4, 2015 by Guest Contributor

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and Baton Rouge Moms is partnering with local dentists to bring you helpful information, tips and support to help your children achieve good oral health!

Did You Know Your Child Should See a Pediatric Dentist by His/Her First Birthday?

To many parents I speak with, this comes as a surprise! The sooner children begin regular dental check-ups, the healthier their mouths will be throughout their lives.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend every child should visit a dentist by age 1, or as soon as the first tooth appears. This initial, “well baby visit” teaches parents and caregivers how to care for their child’s teeth and gums to promote a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Studies have shown that preschool-aged children are getting more cavities. In fact, more than 1 in 4 children in the US has had at least one cavity by the age of four. Many children get cavities as early as age two!
The purpose of the Age One dental visit is to learn about your child’s oral health and how best to care for his or her unique needs with proper oral hygiene techniques, diet discussions and cavity prevention tactics.

We all know that many people have a fear of going to the dentist (you may be one of them) so early check-ups with a pediatric dentist can help eliminate that fear by providing a friendly and fun experience for your child. A Pediatric Dentist is trained in working with young, immature and sometimes frightened children and those with special needs. Start your child’s oral health on the right foot and schedule your pediatric dental appointment. You (and your little one) will be glad you did.

Dr. Erin Maturin
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Ascension Children’s Dental
www.ascensionsmiles.com