7 Experiences Every Child Should Have Before Age 7 | Pediatric Dentist in Elgin IL

As you have probably come to realize, children grow up quickly — sometimes too quickly. Make sure you savor each precious moment by giving them the gift of shared experiences. These should be meaningful but do not need to be elaborate.

Here are seven things our pediatric dentist in 60124 suggests doing with your child before they reach age 7.

1. Read Together Every Night

Reading with your child before bedtime – or any time – is a great way to bond over a fun story. A reading habit will also help your child learn and improve their reading skills, not to mention ignite their imagination.

2. Make Art Together

Art projects are always a fun family activity. Do a finger painting, draw your outlines on a long piece of butcher block paper and create life-size likenesses. Your child's art masterpieces will be a lasting memory of the time you shared together.

3. Watch the Clouds

When the weather turns nice, enjoy a lazy afternoon outside looking up at the sky. What does your child see in the clouds? Encourage their imagination.

4. Teach Your Child About Honesty

Childhood provides an important time for instilling good habits and a sense of morality in our children. One of the most important lessons you can teach your child is to always be honest.

5. Experience Snow

Do you live in a cold climate where it snows in the winter? Embrace the snow and go sledding or build a snowman. If you live where it is warm, make sure your child experiences the magic of a fresh winter snow at least once before they grow up.

6. Create Family Traditions

Create fun traditions that will transcend time. Your child might be too young to recall a single event, but a yearly occurrence is sure to provide a fun memory when your child grows up. Celebrate half-birthdays or start new traditions with a surprise on Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day. Think small, take photos and create a homemade scrapbook.

7. Bring Your Child in for an Orthodontic Evaluation

It is important for your child to have an orthodontic evaluation by the time they reach 7. By this age, most children will begin to grow their incisors and molars. The jaw is also still at an age where it can be formed and shaped.

As a parent, you can provide your child with a smile that will last through the years. Treasure each moment you share together, and the smiles that go with them.

If you have any questions about orthodontic treatment, or would like to schedule your next visit to our pediatric dental office in Elgin, IL, please contact us.

Kids First Pediatric Dentistry

Phone: 847-717-5437

Url: https://kidsfirstpd.com/

1640 Capital Suite Ste 500

Elgin, IL 60124

When Should a Child’s Baby Teeth Be Removed? | 60124 Pediatric Dentist

An inevitable part of a child's growth is that time when primary teeth, commonly known as baby teeth, fall out and adult teeth come in. For many children, primary teeth loosen and fall out on their own, but every child is different.

When you bring your child in for an orthodontic evaluation, we take the development of primary teeth into consideration. Here are some things our pediatric dentist in 60124 wants you to remember about your child's teeth.

Is My Childs' Tooth Development on Track?

Many parents come to us concerned that their child's primary teeth have not yet fallen out. Remember that each child's mouth is going to be unique. Typically, your child will lose their first tooth between ages 6 and 8. This usually continues through ages 10 to 13, when the last of their primary teeth are pushed out by the permanent teeth. Many children experience a break between ages 8 and 10, so don't be alarmed if your child hasn't lost any teeth for a while.

Reasons to Remove Primary Teeth

Crowding is an issue when a permanent tooth begins to grow next to a baby tooth. We usually recommend removal in this instance, but it is important to note that this does not solve the issue of crowding. Sometimes, palate expansion is a solution for overcrowded teeth.

Our office uses x-rays and scans to keep track of your child's dental development. These are valuable resources in determining whether tooth extraction is advisable.

 When to Wait

Sometimes, the best course of action is to wait it out. Your child's baby teeth have an important function in holding the required space needed for permanent teeth to come in. With it comes to missing teeth, our doctor will decide if the space in between needs to be closed. Keeping teeth in place is also good for keeping gums healthy.

What This Means for Orthodontic Treatment

We start any examination with a careful dental examination of your child's teeth. We look at how many they have lost and what teeth still must come in. Your child might lose teeth at a slower pace, and this usually is not cause for concern. However, as children reach age 12 and older, we might consider removing baby teeth when planning orthodontic treatment.

If your child is getting their second molars and has yet to lose some of their baby teeth, we might consider extraction. Rest assured we will keep a careful watch, knowing fast-developing young mouths should be examined regularly.

For more information about tooth development, orthodontics and oral care for children, please contact our pediatric dental office in Elgin, IL.

Kids First Pediatric Dentistry

Phone: 847-717-5437

Url: https://kidsfirstpd.com/

1640 Capital Suite Ste 500

Elgin, IL 60124