• Call Us 417-887-1220
  • Make An Appointment
  • Visit Us
  • 417-887-1220
  • Make An Appointment
  • Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Gum Disease
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Fillings
      • Root Canals
      • Dental FAQs
    • Orthodontics
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Early Orthodontic Treatment with Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Adult Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Orthodontics for Teens
      • Retainer Instructions
      • Emergency Care
      • Life with Braces
        • Types of Braces
        • Traditional Braces
        • Clear Aligners
        • Clear Ceramic Braces
    • Dental Implants
      • Implant-Supported Dentures
      • X-Guide Imaging Machine for Dental Implants
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Dental Care for Your Baby
      • Thumb Sucking
      • Tooth Decay
      • Cavities
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dental FAQs
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • ICON White Spot Treatment
      • Botox
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Invisalign
        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
        • Teen Invisalign
      • Bridges
      • Crowns
      • Veneers
      • Dentures
      • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • New Patients
    • Tour Our Office
    • Financial Information
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Preventive Care
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing & Flossing Tips
    • Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing & Flossing with Braces
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Radiology
    • General Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening
    • Sealants at the Parkcrest Dental Group
    • General Dentistry & Fluoride
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Dr. Scott
    • Meet Dr. Ropka
    • Meet Dr. Harrison
    • Meet Dr. Hall
    • Meet Dr. Fannin
    • Meet Dr. Dills
    • Meet Dr. Sponenberg
    • Meet Dr. Snider
    • Meet Dr. Allie
    • Community Involvement
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • Braces
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Dental
    • Dental Care
    • Dental Education
    • Dental Implants
    • Dental Products
    • FAQ
    • Floss
    • Guides
      • After Oral Surgery
      • Botox in Springfield
      • Calcium Deposits
      • Caregiver’s Guide
      • Choosing a Dentist
      • Dental Care
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Our Offices
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Your Child’s First Visit
    • Pediatric
    • Teeth Whitening
  • Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Gum Disease
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Fillings
      • Root Canals
      • Dental FAQs
    • Orthodontics
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Early Orthodontic Treatment with Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Adult Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Orthodontics for Teens
      • Retainer Instructions
      • Emergency Care
      • Life with Braces
        • Types of Braces
        • Traditional Braces
        • Clear Aligners
        • Clear Ceramic Braces
    • Dental Implants
      • Implant-Supported Dentures
      • X-Guide Imaging Machine for Dental Implants
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Dental Care for Your Baby
      • Thumb Sucking
      • Tooth Decay
      • Cavities
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dental FAQs
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • ICON White Spot Treatment
      • Botox
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Invisalign
        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
        • Teen Invisalign
      • Bridges
      • Crowns
      • Veneers
      • Dentures
      • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • New Patients
    • Tour Our Office
    • Financial Information
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Preventive Care
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing & Flossing Tips
    • Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing & Flossing with Braces
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Radiology
    • General Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening
    • Sealants at the Parkcrest Dental Group
    • General Dentistry & Fluoride
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Dr. Scott
    • Meet Dr. Ropka
    • Meet Dr. Harrison
    • Meet Dr. Hall
    • Meet Dr. Fannin
    • Meet Dr. Dills
    • Meet Dr. Sponenberg
    • Meet Dr. Snider
    • Meet Dr. Allie
    • Community Involvement
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • Braces
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Dental
    • Dental Care
    • Dental Education
    • Dental Implants
    • Dental Products
    • FAQ
    • Floss
    • Guides
      • After Oral Surgery
      • Botox in Springfield
      • Calcium Deposits
      • Caregiver’s Guide
      • Choosing a Dentist
      • Dental Care
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Our Offices
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Your Child’s First Visit
    • Pediatric
    • Teeth Whitening

Good Early Dental Habits for Kids Can Lead to a Lifetime of Exceptional Dental Health and Happy Smiles!

  • June 23, 2016
  • 3:31 pm
  • Pediatric
  • Dental Care, Pediatric Dentistry
  • Parkcrest Dental Group

Many parents have questions about starting good early dental habits for their kids, and baby teeth play an extremely important role in the development of a child’s dental health. That’s why at Parkcrest Dental Group we have board-certified pediatric specialist, Dr. Stuart Scott, on staff to help you make sure your child’s smile stays as healthy as possible!

Related Post: When Should I Start Taking My Child To A Pediatric Dentist?

Why Seeing a Pediatric Dentist Is Important

Often people think that because baby teeth are designed to come out that they don’t matter, but the truth is they play an important role not only for your child’s speaking and chewing ability, but are also necessary for holding space for teeth (that will come in later) while your child continues to develop their adult teeth. Baby teeth that are lost prematurely may allow for other remaining teeth to drift into places that will make it difficult for permanent teeth to come in properly and cause crowding (or even crooked teeth) which can lead to the need for more expensive corrective dental treatment later.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Part of having good early habits for your child can include bringing your child in for their first dental visit with our board certified pediatric specialist within six months after their first tooth comes in so that Dr. Scott can examine teeth for any signs of decay or problems. Early dental visits can also help your child establish happy visits from the start so they can begin to feel comfortable in a dental environment, making it easier to diagnose and treat any potential problems.

Oral Care and Hygiene for Babies

Oral care for babies is also an important aspect of good early dental health. From birth on babies should have their mouths cleaned carefully with a soft, damp cloth before the first teeth begin to show. Many children will have their first teeth in the front by the age of 6 moths so you should begin cleaning teeth as they come in. It’s always a good idea to assist very young children (age 3 and under) to ensure proper brushing habits at least twice a day. Children that are a little older can also benefit from having adult supervision while brushing. This will help ensure that the correct pea sized amount of toothpaste is being used, all sides of teeth are brushed thoroughly, and that brushing takes place for the proper amount of time. Establishing great early dental habits like good brushing behaviors and early first dental visits to a pediatric specialist can set your child up for a lifetime of good oral health!

We Can Help Develop an Oral Hygiene Routine

Our friendly staff is always ready to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child’s routine care and maintenance. Baby teeth are important! By practicing good early dental habits you can help set your child up for a lifetime of exceptional dental health, and now that summer is here it’s a great time to be thinking  about your children’s teeth. While school is out (or before they start their first official year of school), there may be fewer practices, recitals, meetings, and mandatory parent functions to attend, which makes it the absolutely perfect time to get your kids in with a board certified pediatric dentist!

Summer Dental Appointments

Don’t let your summer months pass you by without using them wisely! Before the new school session begins, why not focus on getting your child’s teeth checked so that they can face the new school year with a jump start towards great dental health? Having your family feel good by having healthy smiles will help ensure the most fun for leisure time activities on family vacations now, and help your kids have the best start for a productive school year ahead.

Related Post: What are Qualities that Make a Dentist Great?

Talk to Parkcrest Dental Group

No matter their age, whether it’s time for their very first happy visit, routine cleaning appointments, getting your kids in for a consultation with the orthodontist about braces, or having that filling done (that you simply didn’t have time to schedule during the school year), now is the perfect time to have your child see their pediatric dental care provider Dr. Stuart Scott to help get them started early (and keep them on track) for a lifetime of good dental health and happy smiles!

To find out more about taking care of your child’s teeth  you can visit: Baby Teeth – American Dental Association.

Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top right) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (center left) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (center right) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom left) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

More to explore

Comprehensive Guide to Broken Tooth Repair, Relief and Prevention

April 30, 2025

A broken tooth can happen in many different ways, from weakened enamel and cavities to a fall or grinding teeth. If you

Taking the Fear Out of Root Canal Treatment With Our Step-by-Step Guide

April 30, 2025

Do you have a severely damaged or decayed tooth? Are you in a lot of pain because of it? A root canal

Man Having Tooth Pain

What Is a Tooth Extraction and Why Might You Need One?

March 5, 2025

Is your mouth in pain? Is a toothache causing you to lose sleep or making it difficult to perform everyday tasks? It

Archives
Search
Categories
  • Braces (63)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry (35)
  • Dental (19)
  • Dental Care (148)
  • Dental Education (165)
  • Dental Implants (18)
  • Dental Products (64)
  • FAQ (149)
  • Floss (12)
  • Guides (13)
  • Pediatric (63)
  • Teeth Whitening (29)
  • 540 W LaSalle St, Springfield, MO 65807
  • (417) 887-1220
  • Follow Us:
  • Dental FAQs
  • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • Pediatric Dental FAQs
  • Privacy Practices

Web Design: BigPxl