Early Dental Care

Burlington & Cold Spring, KY Pediatric Dentist » Pediatric Dentistry » Early Dental Care
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Building Healthy Smiles and Habits for a Lifetime

Serving Burlington, Cold Spring, Florence, & Northern KY

Early dental care is all about securing a healthy smile for the future. It starts with protecting your child’s baby teeth, then helping them establish healthy habits that will last well beyond childhood. At Pediatric Dental Center in Burlington and Cold Spring, KY, Dr. Eric Soper and his team are dedicated to providing gentle dental care, teaching healthy habits, and giving kids positive early experiences so they will feel comfortable in the dental chair for years to come.

Have questions or ready to schedule? Our Burlington and Cold Spring pediatric dental teams are here to help you find the right time for your child’s visit. Give us a call at one of our 2 Northern KY locations today.

Call Burlington: (859) 534-5640 Call Cold Spring: (859) 341-3012

What do you need to know about your child’s teeth?

Children’s teeth begin forming before birth.

As early as four months, the first primary teeth may begin to erupt. These are usually the lower central incisors, followed closely by the upper central incisors. All children are unique in the eruption timing but tend to follow the same pattern of eruption.

You can expect to see around 20 baby teeth by the time your baby has finished teething.

Our kids’ dentist will take good care of these baby teeth to prepare the way for healthy adult teeth.

Visiting your kid’s dentist will set your child up for smile success.

We can address all of your questions and help your child develop the habits they need to maintain healthy teeth.

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Taking Care of Your Child’s Baby Teeth

Baby teeth play an important role in dental development, so it is important to take good care of them. Help your child:

  • Form good brushing habits, brushing twice daily for two minutes each time. This should happen as soon as your child has teeth! Gentle flossing should also begin as soon as your child has two teeth that touch.
  • Eat a healthy diet, avoiding too much sugar.
  • Schedule an appointment with your kid’s dentist by their first birthday.
Two young boys playing in leaves in autumn, a back-to-school season photo.
little girl blowing bubbles

Bacteria is transmitted vertically from mother to child. Children acquire the bacteria in their mouth from their mother between 6 and 36 months of age.

Refrain from “saliva sharing” activities.

  • Cleaning pacifiers with your mouth
  • Sharing utensils
  • Kissing on the mouth
  • Eliminate nighttime feeding at 12 months of age or when the maxillary anterior teeth erupt.
  • Brush teeth with a soft toothbrush once teeth erupt, and use only water to brush along gum line.
  • Develop a structured feeding schedulea: 5–7 meal/snack times with breaks in between.
  • Limit juice consumption to only at mealtimes.
  • Carbohydrate exposures should be limited to mealtimes and designated snack times.
  • Establish a dental home for your child no later than 12 months of age.
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“Wonderful staff! So sweet and nice to my baby who didn’t sit still the best! The hygienist was so nice and made it fun for Noah!”
– Jennifer J.

Early Dental Care FAQs

By their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting. An early visit helps establish a dental home and healthy habits.

Eruption patterns vary, but lower front teeth commonly appear first, followed by upper front teeth. Most children have about 20 primary (baby) teeth by age 3.

They hold space for adult teeth, support speech and jaw development, and allow comfortable chewing. Keeping them healthy sets the stage for strong permanent teeth.

Brush twice daily as soon as the first tooth erupts using a soft toothbrush. Begin flossing when two teeth touch. Parents should help or supervise.

Use a smear (rice-sized) for children under 3 and a pea-sized amount for ages 3–6. Spit, don’t rinse, to leave a thin protective film.

Cavity-causing bacteria feed on carbohydrates and produce acids that weaken enamel. Limit frequent snacking and sugary drinks; offer water between set meals and snacks.

Avoid “saliva sharing” (cleaning pacifiers with your mouth, sharing utensils, kissing on the mouth). Caregivers should keep their own mouths healthy, too.

Do not put a child to bed with milk or juice. Eliminate nighttime feeding around 12 months or when upper front teeth erupt. Use only water at night.

Generally every six months; higher-risk children may benefit from more frequent visits. Your pediatric dentist will personalize the schedule.

When needed, we use modern, low-dose techniques and protective shields to keep exposure minimal while helping detect issues early.

Yes—our Burlington and Cold Spring locations welcome families from across Northern Kentucky, including Florence, Hebron, Covington, Erlanger, Independence, Fort Thomas, and nearby Lawrenceburg, IN.

Why Choose Pediatric Dental Center

Convenience

Pediatric Dental Center has multiple locations for your convenience. At any location, you will discover a wide range of services to suit all of your child’s needs. We are your trusted one-stop shop for dentistry! Whatever treatment is needed, you can rest assured that your child will be treated with respect and care.

Quality

Our pediatric dentists are both experienced and board-certified. They have specialized training so that they understand your child’s needs for comfort and deliver optimal results for your child. Our practice is completely mercury-free. We only do composite fillings and stainless steel crowns. Our materials lend themselves to better results while keeping your child safe.

Fun

We pride ourselves on our fun environment! Kids like coming into our office. There are things for them to look at and activities to do. They have entertainment options and various amenities to keep them comfortable and distracted from any anxiety. We believe in education, and we know how to make it fun. We speak in simple terms to encourage your child to brush and floss correctly at home.

Expert Dental Care for Your Young Ones

If you are looking for a children’s dentist near you, you have come to the right place. Here at Pediatric Dental Center, we have office locations in Burlington and Cold Spring Kentucky. We also proudly provide dentistry for children to patients from all over the Northern Kentucky area, including the communities of Florence, Hebron, Covington, Erlanger,Independence, and Ft. Thomas, KY as well as Lawrenceburg, IN.

Children need specialized dental care to ensure a strong foundation of great oral health. You need a children’s center with a fun environment and compassionate service. To schedule an appointment with our kids’ dentist, call Pediatric Dental Center today.

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