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Baby teeth Your child’s first visit to the dentist
With their teeth barely peeking through their gums, and uncertainty surrounding how they may react to a strange new environment, it’s easy to understand why you might put off your baby’s first visit to the dentist. What is the right age for a baby’s first visit to the dentist? Two? Three? Actually, the answer is closer to: what month? Experts from both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) agree that a baby should see a dentist by his or her first birthday—even as soon as the first tooth erupts. Surprised? If you thought it wasn’t necessary to take a baby to the dentist, you’re not alone. A 2010 study conducted by the AAPD found that a staggering 97 percent of parents were unaware that a child should see a pediatric dentist so
18 September 2011
By David Kelly
early in life. “Parents know the value of early visits to the pediatrician, but it’s alarming to learn how few understand that infants need to see a pediatric dentist before their first birthday,” says Dr. William Berlocher, former president of the AAPD. “Oral health is absolutely critical for overall health.”
Baby’s first visit While there is definitely more tissue than teeth on that first visit, it’s essential to begin the preventive care that will make future visits less frequent and less painful, while helping to avoid dental complications that can occur in the younger years. The first visit, much like a well baby care check-up, is as much about prevention as it is about attention, a necessary way to begin proper dental education.
“We can prevent two or three year olds coming in because they need treatment if we can see children at a younger age, making sure we get their parents educated,” says Dr. Daniel Raether, a dentist at Camp Smile, a pediatric dental office located in Plymouth. The first visit informs parents about harmful habits to avoid. These include thumb sucking or excessive pacifier use, which can actually mold the shape of the mouth and cause dental problems later on. The possibility of tooth decay, commonly know as cavities or early childhood caries, is addressed as well. Tooth decay can begin as soon as the first tooth emerges, and can become especially worrisome when the child’s diet includes anything other than breast milk. Parents need to be educated about how diet can contribute to decay, especially when sugary drinks (such as juice) are supplied. “We need to make sure kids get off to a good start with good habits to avoid these complications. Dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States but sadly it’s also one of the most easily preventable,” says Dr. Jim Nickman, a pediatric dentist in the Twin Cities and spokesperson for the AAPD. Not only can tooth decay result in the premature loss of baby teeth, but it can also mean serious pain and discomfort for the child. “Children are very adaptable and unfortunately many children tolerate dental pain without realizing that it’s not a normal feeling,” says Nickman. “Usually when a child complains of tooth pain, it’s unfortunately a large cavity creating the pain.”
Temporary teeth But if a baby’s first teeth are only temporary, why is it so important to address tooth decay and proper care? Though baby teeth have important day-to-day functions for a child including speech and nutrition, they are also necessary to save space for their future permanent replacements.
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A clip and save chart to track the progress of your tot’s teeth Page 20