Pediatric dental care

Pediatric Dental Care

Helping Tiny Smiles Flourish In Ashburn, VA

At Ashburn Dentistry by Design, we are able to care for your little one’s smile and help them create a foundation for a lifetime of happy, healthy teeth! We understand it can be overwhelming, especially for first time parents, to navigate the dental needs of your child, but our team is here to help with educating families on the proper ways to clean their teeth and gums during their routine dental visits. Our compassionate, friendly team knows the special dental needs required for children and strive to speak to them in a way that is on their level and makes them feel comfortable. We focus on delivering top-notch pediatric dental care in a welcoming environment where your child can prosper in their oral health.

Your Child’s First Dental Appointment

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child first visit the dentist by age 1 or within 6 months after their first tooth comes in. This may seem early, but it is important to establish a dental home early on for your child so they get comfortable with their dental team and begin practicing oral hygiene habits to foster a lifetime of excellent oral health. After that first appointment, we recommend that your child have a routine dental exam and cleaning every six months so we can monitor their oral health and spot any problems early.

What That First Appointment Looks Like

Your child’s first appointment with us at Ashburn Dentistry by Design is all about getting them comfortable in our office and with our team. We take the time to get to know your child, provide you with some helpful information on dental care and check your child’s teeth to see how many they have, as well as check their placement and their overall health. If we’re able to, our team will do a gentle cleaning and take X-rays if they are over the age of 2. X-rays allow our team to get a closer look at your child’s teeth, gums and jaw. After that, we’ll send you home with a bag of dental goodies and you’ll be on your way!

How To Prepare Your Child For Their First Dental Visit

We believe that if you and your child know what to expect during the first dental visit with us, then they will feel more comfortable and hopefully be excited! Here are some steps you can take prior to your child’s first dental visit with us at Ashburn Dentistry by Design:

  • Talk positively about going to the dentist
  • Practice opening wide to prepare them for cleanings
  • Brush alongside your child to model excellent dental habits
  • Show them educational oral health videos that are exciting to watch
  • Read fun books about dental care

Creating Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits Early

At Ashburn Dentistry by Design, we believe that starting proper oral hygiene habits early on is essential in making sure your child achieves a lifetime of excellent oral health. Here are some tips you can incorporate into your child’s morning and bedtime routine to achieve happy, healthy smiles:

Your child should only use about a tiny bit of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. If they are still at an age where they don’t know to spit the toothpaste out, we recommend using a fluoride-free toothpaste in order to avoid swallowing too much fluoride.

It may seem tempting to skip this step, but it is important to floss your child’s teeth in order to reach those nooks and crannies where food often gets left behind after meals.

Sugar tends to stick to your child’s teeth, and that can lead to tooth decay and cavities.

Our professional cleanings and exams are the best way to keep track of your child’s oral health!

African girl brushing her teeth in the bathroom mirror at home

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Dental Care

Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, play a critical role in your child’s development. They help your child talk, chew their food and get their mouths ready for incoming permanent teeth. If your child experiences decay that forces a tooth to fall out early, it may cause other teeth in their mouth to shift. This may result in a bad bite (malocclusion) and also impact their oral health.

Even before your baby has any teeth, we recommend wiping their gums with a damp washcloth after feedings or nursing. Once the first tooth comes in, you can begin using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Nowadays, many local grocery stores, pharmacies and supermarkets carry toothbrushes designed just for babies.

When you see a few teeth in your child’s mouth, you can use a tiny bit of toothpaste without fluoride. Once they learn to spit the toothpaste out, then you can use fluoride toothpaste which is usually around the age of 6 or 7.

We recommend dental sealants for all our pediatric patients, as it is a great preventative measure to protect your child’s teeth from cavities. Dental sealants are a protective coating applied to the molars of your child’s teeth and acts as a barrier against plaque and tartar which cause decay.

Mouthguards are a great method for protecting your child’s smile during sports and other high-contact activities. We happily offer custom-made mouthguards, so our patients can play safely and care-free!

Thumb-sucking is very common among young children as it is often a soothing mechanism, but there is no need to panic, as they do grow out of it. Most children will stop sucking their thumb by the age of 4, but if your child continues to do so even after adult teeth come, contact us to see if any dental issues may develop from the habit.

Child patient smiling and giving thumbs up after dental visit at ashburn dentistry by design

Confident Smiles.

Compassionate Care.

Experience the difference at Ashburn Dentistry by Design—where your smile and comfort come first. From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll be treated like family in an environment designed to ease dental anxiety and build lasting relationships. Our experienced team offers comprehensive care for all ages, combining advanced technology with a personal touch to ensure every treatment exceeds your expectations. Don’t wait—request your appointment today and discover why so many in Ashburn trust us with their smiles!

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Purple tooth symbol

Delivering Healthy Smiles to All of Ashburn, VA

20905 Professional Plaza, Suite 210, Ashburn, VA 20147

Phone: (703) 723-9909