Puyallup, WA Pediatric Dentist
We want your child's first visit to Dr. Gossler's office to be enjoyable! The team at our Puyallup dental office makes a special effort to use happy, friendly and simple ways to describe each treatment. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will both feel!
When should I take my child to the dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly-erupted teeth receive proper pediatric dental care. We also want to make sure that your child benefits from proper oral hygiene habits right as early in life as possible.
When will my child's new teeth arrive?
Your child will get their baby teeth between the ages of six to 12 months and will continue to come until about age three. During this time, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate this discomfort, the team at Dr. Gossler's office recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth!
Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood, and his or her permanent teeth begin erupting at age six and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth - 32 if you count wisdom teeth.
How will I help my child maintain healthy oral hygiene habits?
As your child’s teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember, sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes his or her teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime.
Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by Dr. Gossler or other healthcare professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and Dr. Gossler will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact our office immediately.
How do I help my child prevent tooth decay?
Tooth decay is caused by sugars that are left in your mouth and then turn into an acid that can break down your teeth. Maintaining proper brushing and flossing and taking your child to our dental office for regular appointments help prevent tooth decay.
Your child should visit Dr. Gossler every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. Along with cleanings, we recommend fluoride treatments twice a year to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child’s teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but they will be monitored at your regular checkups.
