Pediatric Dentistry in the Virgin Islands

Your Child’s First Visit

The first “regular” dental visit should be just after your child’s first tooth erupts. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. You may be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and your dentist.

We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums. We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.

What Should I Tell My Child About the First Dental Visit?

We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child’s reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.

Here are some “First Visit” tips:

• Take your child for a “preview” of the office.
• Read books with them about going to the dentist.
• Review with them what the dentist will be doing at the time of the first visit.
• Speak positively about your own dental experiences.

During your child’s first visit, the dentist will:

• Examine their mouth, teeth and gums.
• Evaluate adverse habits, like thumb sucking.
• Check to see if they need fluoride.
• Teach your child about cleaning their teeth and gums.
• Suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

VI Dental Center knows your family deserves to receive quality and comfortable oral care, and our specialists are prepared to give you the outstanding attention you need. We can break down everything you need to know about your child’s dental care, how to establish strong and healthy habits, and much more.

What About Preventative Care?

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in dental sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Dental sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.

How Eating Can Influence Oral Health

Most of the time, cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing. Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their food and the longer the residue stays on their teeth, the greater the chances of getting cavities.

Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time, the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.

Consistency of a person’s saliva also makes a difference; thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats diets high in carbohydrates and sugars, they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn allows more of the acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities.

Tips for Cavity Prevention

If you are concerned about preventing cavities and other oral issues for your child, we have a few recommendations that can make the process much simpler for your whole family. At VI Dental Center, we recommend you utilize the following suggestions as early in your child’s life as possible:

• Limit frequency of meals and snacks.
• Encourage brushing, flossing and rinsing.
• Watch what your child drinks.
• Avoid giving your child sticky foods.
• Make treats part of meals.
• Choose nutritious snacks.

The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth, and the remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.

At around 2 1/2 years old, your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6, the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don’t. Don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late, as all children are different.

Baby teeth are important, as they not only hold space for permanent teeth but they are important to chewing, biting, speech, and appearance. For this reason, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.

How Can a Pediatric Dentist Support Your Family?

If you are looking for a pediatric dentist for your baby, child, or whole family, you’re looking in the right place. The experienced and dedicated team from VI Dental Center can support your family in many ways throughout your child’s dental journey. Our services utilize the latest and safest technologies, and we can aid you in many ways, including but not limited to the following:

• Recommending preventative measures
• Providing dental cleanings and fluoride treatments
• Repairing any tooth decay, damage, or traumas
• Diagnosing any issues
• Providing gum disease treatment
• Treating mucoceles and ulcers
• Treating damaged teeth
• Breaking down diet and nutrition suggestions
• Helping stop bad habits, like thumb sucking
• Assessing teeth alignment early on
• Performing treatments for straightening teeth

Your family can rest assured that all babies and children are treated with outstanding and high-quality care. When you work together with our team, you can prevent and mitigate damage to teeth and gums, build positive and healthy habits, and improve a lifetime of smiles.

Contact VI Dental Center Today: Get Outstanding Dental Care for Your Whole Family

At VI Dental Center, we understand the importance of starting pediatric dental care early. Our dedicated team in the Virgin Islands, with offices in St. Thomas and St. Croix, is committed to ensuring your child’s first dental experiences are positive and nurturing. We believe that a strong foundation in dental health set in childhood paves the way for a lifetime of healthy smiles. From the eruption of the first tooth, our pediatric dentistry services are designed to provide comprehensive care, focusing on preventive measures and gentle, age-appropriate treatments.

Don’t wait to start your child on a path to excellent dental health. Contact VI Dental Center today to schedule an appointment. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to welcome you and provide the best dental care in the Virgin Islands. For appointments at our St. Thomas office, call (340) 776-6056, or for our St. Croix office, call (340) 772-6000. You can also complete our online contact form, if you prefer. At VI Dental Center, we’re not just treating teeth, we’re caring for your child’s future smile!