816 East Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, North Carolina 28054
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Maintaining Your Child’s Dental Healthcare

As a parent, it can be hard to determine when and what to do about your child’s dental healthcare. When should you first schedule an appointment for your child? Should you be flossing for your toddler? How will you know if your child needs orthodontic treatment? Here at Gaston Dental Associates, we have the tips and guidelines to help you answer all of these questions and more.

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When Should You Start Brushing Your Child’s Teeth?

A good dental healthcare routine should be established before the first baby tooth even grows in! Just because you cannot see a tooth on the surface, does not mean it isn’t there. They actually begin to grow during the second trimester of your pregnancy so by the time your baby is born he or she already has 20 primary teeth. Here are some tips for taking care of young, new teeth:

  • Use a clean, damp washcloth to gently rub away harmful bacteria build up on your baby’s gums each night
  • Once teeth start to erupt to the surface, use an infant toothbrush with a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste – once these teeth touch, you can start flossing gently in between them
  • Around age 2 or 3 your child should learn to spit while you are brushing their teeth – teaching them not to swallow toothpaste once they begin to brush themselves
  • Continue supervising your child’s dental health care routine until they turn 8 years old (when they are less likely to swallow instead of spitting)

When Is It Time To Visit Our Dentists?

According to the American Dental Association, children should be seen by a dentist by their 1st birthday. Visiting this early on in your child’s development can help uncover problems and prevent them from becoming worse later on. It will also help your child become used to regular dental visits so they are not afraid to go once they are older and may need more in depth treatments or procedures. Pediatrics will also diagnose signs of children at high risk for cavities and apply topical fluoride to help prevent cavities and many other common oral diseases. For older children our dentists will add sealant to each molar that acts as an extra protective coating as well.

Maintaining Your Child’s Dental Healthcare

Depending on each individual path your child may be on for jaw and tooth development, our experts here at Gaston Dental Associates will recommend regular check-ups every 3 – 6 months to monitor growth and ensure healthy mouths. Make sure you are regularly helping your child brush and floss their teeth and try to keep them away from sugary foods. With these tactics and dental appointments, your child’s dental healthcare will be on a great path! Give us a call today at 704-396-6166 to schedule an appointment.

What our patients say

  • Genuinely the most pleasant dental experience I've ever had. The employees are not only extremely kind but also clearly very... read more

    Nicholas Byrnes Avatar Nicholas B.
    April 29, 2025

    My first experience with Gaston Dental Associates went so much better than I had expected. I was very anxious because... read more

    Pamela Harris Avatar Pamela H.
    June 29, 2025

    Great dentist! He's very caring and really listens. The staff is amazing as well. They make you feel comfortable and... read more

    Deana West Avatar Deana W.
    June 29, 2025

    Excellent bedside manner!!! Everyone was very kind and informative! Makes going to the dentist less traumatizing!

    khadija thomas Avatar khadija t.
    July 15, 2025
  • I enjoy my visits to Gaston Dental Associates. The hygienists are excellent at their job, helpful and informative about ways... read more

    April Dawn Avatar April D.
    January 29, 2025

    I has the best experience today everyone was very nice and helpful and understanding to my needs I forgot to ask... read more

    Jessica Maruri Avatar Jessica M.
    January 1, 1970

    Great staff and the dentist was punctual along with very knowledgeable with her work and explaining everything to me, it... read more

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    Joni McClain Avatar Joni M.
    June 29, 2025

    I am usually satisfied with my dental appointment , however, my appointment today left me very disappointed and a little... read more

    Tamara Reid Avatar Tamara R.
    January 1, 1970
  • Me and my children have been coming here for 17 years. Staff has changed around but there are still... read more

    Lauren P Avatar Lauren P.
    January 1, 1970

    I really appreciate Adrian my hygienist for her professionalism, she is very compassionate and she has excellent bedside manner. Emily... read more

    Trina Byers Avatar Trina B.
    January 1, 1970

    I love it! I called in today Dec 2, 2024 as a new patient and I was able to be... read more

    Info Info Avatar Info I.
    December 29, 2024

    I really enjoyed my experience here! Adrian was very friendly and thorough with my cleaning. The admin staff were helpful,... read more

    Miranda Votary Avatar Miranda V.
    March 1, 2025
  • I was late for my appointment and I was still send and my experience was great I was not there... read more

    Cynthia Bryant Avatar Cynthia B.
    May 29, 2025

    My cleaning on April 23rd was an awesome visit. Thr check-in, hygienist and dentist had wonderful attitudes. The service was... read more

    Keizah Shouse Avatar Keizah S.
    April 29, 2025

    Everyone that I spoke with or who helped me today was so supportive and kind. They listened to me and... read more

    Barbara Rogers Avatar Barbara R.
    March 1, 2025

    This place is the only one that I've taken my grandchildren to for many years. All the staff are very... read more

    Tammy Frisbee Avatar Tammy F.
    May 29, 2025
  • Friendly atmosphere well kept and clean and making sure no one is contaminated with any virus the staff was polite... read more

    Lydia Vincenty Avatar Lydia V.
    January 1, 1970

    I went to the dentist I had cracked a tooth they got me in the very next day to do... read more

    Richard Lingerfelt Avatar Richard L.
    July 15, 2025

    My visit at Gaston Dental Associates was absolutely amazing today. They were so thoughtful in making sure that I was... read more

    Bworthy Avatar Bworthy
    March 29, 2025

    Everyone was very kind, informative and eager to help. I had a great first experience with my hygienist and my... read more

    Maggie Amrhein Avatar Maggie A.
    March 1, 2025

Success stories that speak for themselves

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