A pediatric dentist in Gurunanak Colony, Vijayawada should be able to do more than fix a cavity. Teeth, habits and fears change quickly between a baby's first tooth and a teenager's last check-up. At GIA Clinics on Club Road, Dr Lalitya Dandamudi follows that whole path with families. This guide sets out what to look out for at each age.
0 to 2 years
Wipe the gums after feeds, and begin brushing as soon as the first tooth shows. Plan the first dental visit by the first birthday. It is short, and mostly about you learning how to look after those teeth.
3 to 6 years
Brush twice a day with a pea-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste, and help until your child can do it well. This is when cavities in baby molars often begin. Fluoride varnish and small fillings keep them from turning into pain.
6 to 12 years
The first adult molars arrive around age 6. Ask about sealants, a thin protective coat for the grooves in back teeth. Keep sweets and sticky snacks to mealtimes. This is also the time to look at thumb sucking, mouth breathing or grinding. An early check of the bite can help guide jaw growth.
13 and older
Teens benefit from a bite check with our orthodontists, Dr Samata Avula and Dr Naveen G. Those who play contact sports should have a mouthguard.
When your child is scared
Fear is normal, and it is not a failure on anyone's part. Dr Lalitya uses a simple approach: tell, show, then do. Your child hears what will happen, sees it and only then does it happen. Visits are short and unhurried. Anxious children are never rushed, and a child who only sits in the chair on day one has still done well.
At home, try playing dentist with a toothbrush, and avoid promising that "it won't hurt". Praise your child for being brave once it is over.
About Dr Lalitya
She holds an MDS in Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry from M R Ambedkar Dental College, Bengaluru, and has 14 years of practice. Her work includes children who need extra support.
Making an appointment
Dr Lalitya sees children at Gurunanak Colony from 10 AM to 8:30 PM. Call or WhatsApp 092814 93949, and mention your child's age and anything that worries them.