Children's dentist in Tijuana: pediatric dentistry and a child's first visit

Why baby teeth matter

Keeping your child's teeth healthy is part of looking after their overall health. Decay can start as soon as the first teeth come in, and if it is not treated it can lead to pain, infection and even tooth loss.

You can start protecting your child's teeth from birth. Simple habits at home help prevent cavities, and regular dental check-ups give the dentist a chance to find decay early. If you are an adult or older teen planning your own visit, see our guide to a first visit to a dentist in Tijuana.

Habits at home

For a baby, wipe the teeth with a soft, clean cloth or use a baby toothbrush. Avoid bedtime bottles, and check your baby's teeth regularly for any spots or stains.

The list below covers toothpaste, food and drinks, and check-ups for children of all ages.

• Fluoride toothpaste: use a pea-sized amount from about two years old, or earlier if a dentist or doctor recommends it.
• Food and drinks: offer healthy meals and keep sweet snacks and drinks to a minimum.
• Check-ups: book regular dental check-ups for your child.

Building good habits while your child is young can help keep their teeth healthy for life.

What a pediatric dental visit can include

At a check-up, the dentist looks for signs of decay. An early sign can be a white spot on a tooth. The dentist may check the teeth for soft or sticky areas and may use an X-ray to look for decay.

When your child's permanent teeth start to come in, ask the dentist about sealants, which cover the chewing surfaces and can help prevent decay.

Planning a child's visit from San Diego

Children travel with their own documents. Check the current re-entry document rules for minors before you cross, and bring the child's previous dental records and X-rays if you have them. Our guide on bringing X-rays and records has a checklist.

Questions to ask before treatment

• Who will see my child, and does that dentist treat children regularly?
• What is the diagnosis for each tooth, and what happens if we wait?
• Which materials will be used, and will that be written on the plan?
• How many visits are expected, and what is the plan if my child does not cooperate on the day?
• Who do we contact after we are back home?

Ask for an itemized written plan before treatment starts. See our written treatment plan checklist and questions to ask a dentist.

Frequently asked questions

When should my child start using fluoride toothpaste?

Health guidance is to start with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when your child is two years old, or sooner if a dentist or doctor suggests it. Ask your child's dentist what fits your child.

How do I clean a baby's teeth?

Use a soft, clean cloth or a baby toothbrush. As your child grows, offer healthy foods and keep sweet snacks and drinks limited.

What are dental sealants?

Sealants are coatings that cover the chewing surfaces of the teeth and can help prevent decay. Once your child's permanent teeth start coming in, ask the dentist whether sealants make sense for your child.

What should I bring to a child's dental visit in Tijuana?

Bring your child's ID and travel documents, a list of any medicines and allergies, and any dental records or X-rays you already have. Check the current document rules for minors crossing the border before the day of the visit.

What happens at a child's first dental visit?

Ask the clinic ahead of time what the visit will include and who will see your child. Regular dental check-ups are where a dentist can find tooth decay, so it helps to plan the next check-up before you leave.

Is sedation used for children?

Do not assume either way. If sedation is proposed, ask the clinic in writing why it is needed, what type it is, who gives it, who watches your child during and after the visit, and what the other options are.

What should I ask before my child's treatment?

Ask who will treat your child and how often they treat children, what the written treatment plan includes, what the other options are, and how follow-up visits will work.

What is baby bottle tooth decay?

It is the common name for early childhood caries, a severe form of tooth decay in young children that starts in the front teeth and can spread to the back teeth. To lower the risk, don't put your baby to bed with a bottle, and look at the teeth regularly for spots or stains.

Can a dentist stop early tooth decay in a child's teeth?

If decay is caught early, before a cavity forms, a dentist can apply fluoride to reverse it. Early decay usually has no symptoms and can be found at a regular dental check-up, so only an exam can tell you whether this applies to your child.

How do I choose a children's dentist in Tijuana?

Ask who will see your child and whether they treat children regularly, request the treatment plan in writing before any work starts, and ask how follow-up visits will be handled if you live across the border.

Questions to ask any clinic before your child's visit

Before you book, ask the clinic to answer these in writing:

• Who will see your child, and whether children are a regular part of their work.
• What the check-up will include, such as looking for signs of tooth decay.
• Whether fluoride or sealants are being suggested for your child, and why.
• What the written treatment plan includes, and how follow-up visits will work.