Ask Dr. Wesam and Dr. Deena: Top 5 FAQs on Children’s Dental Health
Meet Our Team
The Alani Dental Center is home to husband and wife team Dr. Wesam Alani and Dr. Deena Alani. Both hail from the Middle East, where they completed their initial round of dental school. After practicing in Dubai for five years, the pair moved to the United States, where they attended the Pennsylvania School of Dentistry for additional training. In 2016, they decided to open Alani Dental Center and have been your go-to dentist in Chattanooga since then. Both Dr. Wesam and Dr. Deena have impacted their community and love seeing their patients smile and not feel self-conscious about their smiles.
At Alani Dental Center, the pair focuses on a holistic approach to dental care, understanding that oral health can play a major role in a person’s overall health. By using the latest technology and advanced dental techniques, Drs. Wesam and Deena Alani work to make their patients number one and work to make them feel at ease during their dental visits. They are also committed to listening to all of their patients’ concerns.
As parents to two, they understand parents will have questions about their children’s dental care, and they want to assure you they understand exactly what your child needs when it comes to their oral health care.
1. How early should my child visit the dentist?
Did you know that a child’s first visit to the dentist should be around their first birthday or when their first tooth erupts? Many people think their child doesn’t need dental care until they have a full set of teeth, but that isn’t true. By getting your child into the dental chair early, they will become used to the signs and sounds of the dental office.
This is also a great way to establish good oral hygiene habits early. Even before your child’s primary teeth have started to erupt, you can begin dental care by gently massaging your child’s gums with a soft, clean, damp washcloth. Then as more teeth emerge, you can begin brushing your child’s teeth with a child-sized toothbrush and a smear of toothpaste the size of a rice grain to start.
2. When should I start brushing and flossing my child’s teeth?
Parents should introduce their child to oral health care as soon as they are born. As mentioned earlier, you can begin early on by massaging your child’s gums with a clean, soft washcloth after feedings. This gets your child used to having something in their mouth while washing away sugars and bacteria.
As soon as their teeth erupt, switch to brushing using a special child-sized toothbrush with extra-soft bristles. You can brush their teeth with warm water, or your dentist may recommend a fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen the tooth enamel and protect it against cavities.
When it comes to flossing, that should begin as soon as your child has two to three teeth next to each other. Since brushing the teeth alone can’t always get in between teeth, flossing is an important part of a good dental health routine. Dr. Wesam and Dr. Deena will be happy to show you the best way to floss between your child’s teeth when it comes time.
3. Do children really need fluoride?
At Alani Dental Center, we recommend using fluoridated toothpaste, as well as mouthwash (once they’re old enough to spit it out). That is because fluoride works to strengthen your child’s teeth naturally. With some states banning fluoride in drinking water, it is important to ensure your child is getting enough fluoride to protect their teeth. Some dentists warn that banning fluoride in drinking water could cause millions of children to develop cavities.
Thankfully, the amount of fluoride that is considered healthy is a very small amount. Fluoride can be found in drinking water and some foods, like rice. For parents who are concerned about fluoride levels, the National Institutes of Health has a breakdown of fluoride amounts in food and drink.
4. How do I handle my child’s fear of the dentist?
Many children can fear the unknown or situations with different sights and sounds, which is one of the reasons dentists recommend early childhood dental visits. If your child seems uneasy, explain to them the importance of dental care in a positive way.
You can role-play together about what a visit to the dentist is like, and make sure to answer any and all questions your child may have. You can also head to the library to check out a book specifically about visiting the dentist or find a video online that explains how a dental visit for children works.
5. What can I do about my child’s tooth sensitivity or pain?
If your child is experiencing tooth sensitivity or pain, it’s time to visit Alani Dental Center. It is possible that pain or sensitivity means that your child’s enamel isn’t as strong as it could be. The enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that prevents sensitivity and resists tooth decay. If your child is experiencing tooth sensitivity, visit Alani Dental Center so we can determine exactly what’s going on.
Visit Alani Dental Center every six months.
If your child hasn’t been to the dentist recently, it’s time to bring them in to see Dr. Wesam and Dr. Deena. At Alani Dental Center, we recommend that everyone come in at least every six months for a visit, as preventative dental care is a key part of a good dental hygiene routine. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!
