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

  • 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

    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 am very skeptical of dentists but I am very excited about Gaston Dental. They are very gentle and patient.... read more

    Thomas Hunter Avatar Thomas H.
    June 29, 2025

    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 love this dentist they make me feel at home . I never have to wait in the lobby when... read more

    Stephanie Cavender Avatar Stephanie C.
    May 29, 2025

    Very nice staff. They are very clean and professional. They also clean people's teeth nicely.

    Ashley Lippman Avatar Ashley L.
    April 29, 2025

    The great folks at Gaston dental always are willing to work with me to accommodate my third shift schedule. ... read more

    Jerimy Black Avatar Jerimy B.
    March 1, 2025

    There's a bunch of care and expertise here. My teeth were in bad shape until I came here. They made... read more

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    April White Avatar April W.
    January 1, 1970
  • Excellent bedside manner!!! Everyone was very kind and informative! Makes going to the dentist less traumatizing!

    khadija thomas Avatar khadija t.
    July 15, 2025

    My First Appointment at Gaston Dental was Fantastic! The Dental Assistants were friendly and professional as well as the... read more

    Diana Cunningham Avatar Diana C.
    August 29, 2024

    Best office I've ever been to! Everyone is so sweet and helpful. My dental hygienist spoke so much positivity over... read more

    Bluu Soul Avatar Bluu S.
    August 29, 2024

    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
  • Well first off I didn't think I was going to be seen and right when I was about to leave... read more

    Wendell Cuthbertson Avatar Wendell C.
    January 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

    Wonderful experience from my check- up at Gaston Dental! Every person was very respectful of my comfort and time. Kudo’s... read more

    daryl hutchins Avatar daryl h.
    April 29, 2025

    Outstanding Service and Caring Staff at Gaston Dental! I can't say enough good things about Gaston Dental! From the moment I... read more

    Ginger Barnett Avatar Ginger B.
    January 29, 2025
  • 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 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

    The ladies in the office are nice and kind when you walk into the office there’s never a dull moment... read more

    Kristal Elliott-Powell Avatar Kristal E.
    January 1, 1970

    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

Success stories that speak for themselves

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