How Often Do Kids Need a Routine Dental Exam?

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Keeping your kids’ teeth and gums healthy takes a combination of daily care at home and professional care. Routine dental exams are a major part of this. But how regularly do your kids need a checkup? At Cochran, Soares, and Associates Pediatric Dentistry, our dentists in Jacksonville and St. Johns, FL, make the following recommendations for these visits.

What Do the Experts Recommend?

For most kids, routine dental exams should happen twice per year or every six months. Going less than that may allow too much tartar and plaque to accumulate on teeth, raising the risk of cavities. Having an exam twice a year also gives our dentists opportunities to catch oral health issues early.

When Would a Child Need More Frequent Exams?

Some kids may need to come in for dental exams in St. Johns and Jacksonville, FL, more often. Our dental team may recommend more frequent checkups if your child has severe or recurring oral health problems, such as cavities or gum inflammation. Seeing us more often allows us to check for these issues and take steps to prevent them from happening.

How Often Does My Child Need to See the Dentist?

That’s going to depend on your child’s oral health and other factors, such as jaw alignment and underlying medical conditions. Our dentists will let you know how often to set up a routine dental exam to make sure their teeth stay clean and in good condition!

Make a Dental Exam Appointment for Your Child!

Is your child due for a checkup? Our dental team at Cochran, Soares, and Associates Pediatric Dentistry offers dental exams in Jacksonville and St. Johns, FL, to help kids maintain bright smiles and healthy teeth and gums as they grow!

Woman with short hair using her fingers to check or touch her teeth, eyes closed, mouth open, against a plain white background.

3 Tips to Deal with a Cracked Tooth

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A cracked tooth in St. Johns, FL may sound quite serious, and in some cases, it is. However, when it comes to cracking a tooth, the range of severity can run the gamut. Here, we’ll look at what you can do to deal with the problem.

1. Assess the Crack

With some cracks, the issue is obvious. For example, you bite down on a piece of candied pecan, and then next thing you know, you hear a sickening sound. However, for many other people, small cracks appear that they don’t even notice, and they only even realize there’s a problem when they really examine their teeth in the mirror. If you have a crack but can’t remember when or how you got it, you may not need immediate care.

2. Call the Emergency Dentist

For severe cracks, meaning cracks that are highly visible and impact your ability to chew, it’s important to contact an emergency dentist in St. Johns, FL. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to damage the tooth further, not to mention put more pressure on the teeth that surround it.

3. Ask About Permanent Solutions

From veneers to crowns to dental implants, there are ways to deal with a cracked tooth — no matter how severe the original injury. While the treatments may take some time, it’s ultimately the best way to strengthen your mouth.

At Cochran, Soares, and Associates Pediatric Dentistry, we’re here to help you talk through how each service can give you back your smile. Whether you’re more concerned about the visible appearance of a crack or its impact on the rest of your teeth, we can give you recommendations that make a difference (and an appointment no matter what time you need it)!

A young child with short blond hair smiles while standing next to a light wooden table, wearing a light-colored outfit with a blue-trimmed collar.

When Can I Expect My Child’s First Tooth?

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The first tooth is an early milestone for babies. When the first tooth grows in, it’s time to start brushing their teeth and thinking about going to the dentist in Jacksonville, FL, and St. Johns FL. For new parents, it’s important to know when to expect that first tooth. If you have questions about your baby’s teeth and the teething process, here’s what you need to know.

When Do Babies Get Their First Tooth?

Babies often get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months old. Some babies get their first tooth earlier, and some get their first tooth later.

What to Do When Your Baby Gets Their First Tooth

When your baby gets their first tooth, it’s time to start brushing their teeth every day. Use a baby-sized toothbrush and baby toothpaste. Put a tiny amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush, then brush their tooth.

If you’re having a hard time brushing your baby’s teeth, the dentist can show you what to do when you come in. Make a list of questions to ask the dentist during your first appointment.

Why Should I Bring My Baby to a Pediatric Dental Exam in Jacksonville, FL, and St. Johns, FL?

When you’re choosing a dentist for your child, take them to a pediatric dentist for their pediatric dental exam in Jacksonville, FL, and St. Johns, FL. Taking your child to a pediatric dentist helps ensure that your child will have a good experience with the dentist.

Pediatric dentists have lots of experience with babies and can help them feel comfortable. The dental professionals at Cochran, Soares, and Associates Pediatric Dentistry are here to help. Call today to make an appointment.