The Best Pediatric Dentist Salem VA - Eschenbach Family Dentistry

A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. At our family-friendly dental practice, we are passionate about your oral health and smile. We know the connection between healthy teeth, a healthy mouth, and a healthy body, and we’d like you to have the best of both.

Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe the best treatment options. 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 feel.

Importance Of Pediatric Dentistry Salem VA

Pediatric dentists are dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years. They have the experience and qualifications to care for a child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout the various stages of childhood. Children begin to get their baby teeth ​during the first 6 months of life. By age 6 or 7 years, they start to lose their first set of teeth, which eventually are replaced by secondary, permanent teeth.

Pediatric dental definition stresses the importance of pediatric dentistry. Oral hygiene is a vital component of the overall health of a person. Without it human beings’ health is incomplete. When oral health is neglected the body suffers and you are unable to eat and drink anything since your body gets deficient in important nutrients.

What types of treatments do pediatric dentists provide?

Pediatric dentists provide comprehensive oral health care that includes the following:

  • Oral health exams for infants. This will include risk assessments for caries in both mother and the child.
  • Preventive dental care. It also includes fluoride treatments, cleaning, and diet and nutrition recommendations.
  • Habit counseling
  • Early treatment and assessment for correcting improper bite and teeth straightening.
  • Repairing tooth defects or cavities
  • Diagnosing oral conditions that are related to diseases like congenital heart defects, hay fever, hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, asthma, and diabetes.
  • Care for dental injuries.
  • Management of gum diseases and medical conditions like mucoceles, short frenulum, pediatric periodontal disease, and ulcers.

Children's Dental Facts That You Should Know About

Here are some important things to keep in mind regarding your child’s dental health.

  • Tooth Decay is the Most Common Childhood Disease
  • Cavities are Preventable
  • Candy is Not the Only Cause of Poor Dental Health
  • Children Should Go to the Dentist by the Time They’re One Year Old
  • It’s Important to Care for Your Baby’s Teeth from the Start
  • It’s Possible for a Child to “Catch” Cavities From Their Mother
  • Cavities Can Affect a Child’s Self-Esteem and Academic Performance
  • Sports Can Cause Dental Injuries

For New Patients

Your first visit is all about you – your comfort, your happiness, and your health.

Our practice is committed to providing you and your child with safe, gentle, high-quality dental care. We understand that you, or your child, may feel anxious about visiting the dentist. We are sensitive to your needs, and it is our goal to make you feel comfortable visiting our practice while providing the best care possible.

Dr. Sean Eschenbach and his dentistry team embrace his Salem patients with “championship” dental care and oral health services. Dr. Sean Eschenbach is one of the best dentists in Salem VA. Eschenbach Family Dentistry is an expert on family dentistry in Salem, VA.

When New Teeth Arrive

Your child’s first primary or baby teeth will begin to erupt between the ages of six and 12 months and will continue to erupt until about age three. During this time, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate this discomfort, we 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. Permanent teeth begin erupting at age six and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth (32, including wisdom teeth).

Adopting 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 that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes 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. Fluoridated toothpaste is recommended for all children starting with tooth eruption, regardless of caries risk. A smear (the size of a grain of rice) of toothpaste should be used up to age three. After the third birthday, a pea-sized amount may be used. We recommend dispensing toothpaste for young children and supervising and assisting with brushing. Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.

Preventing Tooth Decay with Regular Checkups

Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid, which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings 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 will be monitored at your child’s regular checkups.

The Expert Pediatric Dental Care Salem VA

Why Should You Choose Eschenbach Family Dentistry As Your Salem Pediatric Dentist?

As a general dentist, Dr. Sean Eschenbach has dedicated himself to the health and well-being of patients throughout the Salem, Roanoke Valley, and Hollins, VA communities. He has additional training in most facets of dental care including pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, and dental implants.

With this experience, Dr. Eschenbach and his entire staff aim to improve the oral health of all patients seeking dental care in southwest Virginia, regardless of age or medical disability, through the utilization of quality advanced general dentistry techniques, hygienists, and area specialists.