Ask Dr. Mona

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist by their first birthday or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in–whichever comes first. That often surprises people, but those early visits are more about prevention and education than cleaning their teeth.

At the first visit, the dentist will check your baby’s gums, teeth, and overall oral health. They’ll also give you guidance on teething, brushing, thumb-sucking, and bottle or pacifier habits. It’s a great time to ask questions and get ahead of any issues before they start.

Even if your child doesn’t have many teeth yet, starting early helps normalize dental visits. It gives your child a chance to get used to the environment–so when the more involved cleanings come later, it’s less intimidating.

After that first visit, routine checkups are typically recommended every 6 months. These visits help monitor dental development, reinforce good oral hygiene habits, and catch any concerns early while they’re easier to manage.

If your baby is older than 1 year and hasn’t been to the dentist yet, don’t worry–it’s never too late to start. Just go ahead and schedule a visit with a pediatric dentist when you can! Building those habits early on helps teach your child that dental health matters!

Have questions about fluoride? Read this PedsDocTalk newsletter that covers all the research and facts. Looking for brushing tips or wondering what to do if your child’s tooth falls out? Check out this PedsDocTalk podcast episode for answers to common dental questions.

Nosebleeds are really common in children, and while they can look dramatic, they’re usually not a reason for panic. Most nosebleeds happen because the lining of a child’s nose is delicate and full of tiny blood vessels that can bleed easily. Dry air, frequent nose-picking, allergies, or colds can all irritate the inside of the nose and lead to bleeding. Even sudden temperature changes or a particularly strong sneeze can trigger one.

To help prevent nosebleeds, try running a humidifier in your child’s room–especially during dry months–and encourage hydration. Using a saline spray or applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly inside the nostrils can also keep things moist. And while it’s easier said than done, keeping fingernails trimmed short can reduce nose-picking.

Most nosebleeds stop quickly and aren’t cause for concern. But call your pediatrician if the bleeding lasts more than 20 minutes despite applying pressure, if your child seems dizzy or is losing a lot of blood, or if nosebleeds are happening more than once or twice a week. It’s also important to get checked out if the nosebleed happened after a head injury or if there are other symptoms like frequent bruising or bleeding from the gums since that may point to an underlying issue. If a visible blood vessel in the nose keeps re-bleeding, an ENT may recommend a simple cautery procedure to seal it.

Want to know exactly how to handle a nosebleed in the moment? Or how to get out blood stains? Watch this PedsDocTalk Instagram video for a quick overview.

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