We recommend scheduling your child's first dental visit by their first birthday, as advised by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. It's important to make this first visit positive and fun! We provide lots of resources to help your child feel comfortable and get to know Dr. Matos and our team. A happy first visit builds trust and makes future visits easier.

Keeping baby teeth healthy is super important for your child's oral development! They help with chewing, eating, and saving space for adult teeth. Plus, they guide permanent teeth into the right spot and help the jaw bones and muscles grow properly. Baby teeth also play a big role in speech development and give your child a cute smile. Remember, the front teeth stick around until about age 6-7, while the back teeth stay until ages 10-13.

Choose a toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association (look for the ADA seal on the box and tube). Some toothpastes have harsh abrasives that can damage young teeth, so it's important to pick one that's safe for kids.

Good oral hygiene is key to preventing cavities! For infants, use a wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe their teeth and gums. Don’t put your child to bed with a bottle of anything but water. Older kids should brush at least twice a day. Watch out for sugary snacks! The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests visiting a pediatric dentist every six months, starting at your child's first birthday. Regular visits help keep their teeth healthy. Dr. Matos might also recommend sealants or fluoride treatments to protect your child's teeth.

Toothache: Clean the area around the sore tooth, rinse with warm water, and use dental floss to remove any food. Don’t put aspirin or heat on the gum or tooth. If the pain continues, call us! If there's swelling, use a cold compress and contact us right away. Cut or bitten tongue, lip, or cheek: Apply ice to reduce swelling. If there's bleeding, press gently with gauze or a cloth. If it doesn’t stop, call a doctor or go to the ER. Knocked out permanent tooth: Find the tooth and handle it by the crown (not the root). Rinse with water only. If it’s clean, try to reinsert it and have your child bite on gauze to hold it in place. If you can’t, put it in a cup of saliva or milk and contact us immediately! Knocked out baby tooth: Usually not an emergency. Contact Dr. Matos during business hours. Chipped or fractured permanent tooth: Rinse with water, use a cold compress for swelling, and save any tooth fragments. Contact us right away! Chipped or fractured baby tooth: Contact Stuart Pediatric Dentistry. Severe head blow: Go to the nearest ER immediately. Possible broken jaw: Keep the jaw still and go to the nearest ER.