Parents celebrate so many milestones during a baby's first couple of years, and many of them are focused on the baby's mouth: smiling, eating solid foods, and saying their first words. It is another cause for excitement and celebration when the baby's first teeth come in — but should this milestone signal a trip to the family dentist? Many experts say yes.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child to the dentist by the time he or she is one year old or soon after the first tooth erupts. The American Dental Association also supports a dental office visit in your child's first year.
While it is common for the first visit to occur later — often between the ages of two and three — an earlier appointment can treat certain problems before they become major headaches and set the stage for good oral health.
Many people dismiss the need for dental care at such a young age because baby teeth fall out. However, it is important to see a dentist starting around age one because it establishes good oral hygiene, prevents issues with tooth and gum development, and helps your child with certain milestones, such as brushing on their own and chewing properly.
Additionally, even very young children and toddlers can get dental caries — commonly referred to as cavities or tooth decay. When this happens to baby teeth, infection can spread and lead to more serious issues. Plus, with every year that passes, it becomes more difficult to treat and prevent future decay.
When issues with baby teeth are left untreated, your child can experience:
Before your little one sees the dentist, you can prepare him or her for the experience by taking the child along to your own cleaning visit. This allows you to demonstrate that it is no big deal and that the dentist makes you feel good about your smile.
At your son or daughter's first appointment, your family dentist will take extra care to put your child at ease. The dentist will take a look in your child's mouth and inspect the teeth and gums. Much like your own dental checkups, this appointment will include a gentle cleaning to remove bacteria and food particles in addition to an examination to look for possible signs of decay.
The dentist will also check to see how the mouth is shaped and the status of your child's bite. If your older baby or toddler is still using a pacifier, your dentist may make sure there are no negative effects on the alignment of the teeth. Finally, the dentist will review and demonstrate how to brush.
This first appointment — and subsequent ones — will be informative for you, too. The dentist can share a tooth eruption chart with you and explain what to expect in terms of future growth and loss of baby teeth. Note that this timeline is not the same for every baby, toddler, and child.
Take steps to ensure this first visit is a positive one for your child by eliminating potential distractions and issues. Schedule the appointment for a time that your child is well-rested and give your child a light meal and brush their teeth before the appointment so they are not hungry.
The waiting room should be a fun place. Play with toys, read a book, and engage with your child to make the visit lighthearted and fun. Avoid giving snacks in the waiting room to eliminate food particles on the teeth. If your child starts to show anxiety or becomes upset, work with the dentist and professionals in the office; they are usually quite skilled in calming distraught children!
Avoid delaying your child's dental treatment. This can lead to lifelong issues. Focus on making the visit to the dentist a fun, happy experience so your child has positive associations with the dentist's office. Starting early to establish a system of care and create a strong relationship with your family dentist can help to build good habits and prevent oral health problems later on.
Request an appointment here: https://coconutgrovesmile.com or call Smile at Coconut Grove at (305) 423-4661 for an appointment in our Coconut Grove office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Family Dentist in Coconut Grove, FL.
A family dentist plays a key role in the oral health of patients both young and old. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately one in five children between the ages of 5 and 11 have untreated cavities. There is more access to dental care than ever before, but many parents struggle with establishing…
For many people, a family dentist is the right choice for routine dental care. While this type of practice is usually equipped to handle the specific needs of pediatric patients, it is still able to provide thorough care for adults as well. Family dentists typically offer a wide variety of services in one location and…
Whether an individual has simply not been to the family dentist in a few years or switched to a new provider, a first visit can be overwhelming and possibly nerve-wracking. Knowing what to expect during the first visit and how to prepare can help ease individuals’ concerns and ensure the appointment goes as smoothly as…
When a tooth develops decay, it can be restored to normal function through a dental filling by a family dentist. Decay that does not cause pain is often discovered through routine dental visits, but sometimes cavities are symptomatic. While the type of filling recommended by the dentist depends on the location and size of the…
People often have wisdom teeth extraction performed when these teeth come in behind the second molars of the upper and lower jaw. Wisdom teeth appear between the ages of 17-25 and may crowd the other teeth, causing pain and possibly changing the bite of the teeth. Those who undergo an extraction often have questions about…
If you have wisdom teeth coming in, it may be a good idea to talk to your dentist. Removing these teeth might be the right option so that you can avoid pain and discomfort. There often is not enough space for these teeth to grow in properly. This creates a host of concerns and health…