When should your child first see a dentist, and why?
The ideal time is six months after your child's first (primary) teeth erupt. This timeframe is a perfect opportunity for the dentist to carefully examine the development of your child's mouth. Because dental problems often start early, the sooner the visit the better. To safeguard against problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumb-sucking, the dentist can provide or recommend special preventive care.
How do I prepare my child and myself for the visit?
Before the visit, ask the dentist about the procedures of the first appointment so there are no surprises. Plan a course of action for either reaction your child may exhibit -cooperative or non-cooperative. Very young children may be fussy and not sit still. Talk to your child about what to expect, and build excitement as well as understanding about the upcoming visit. Bring with you to the appointment any records of your child's complete medical history.
What will happen on the first visit?
Many first visits are nothing more than introductory icebreakers to acquaint your child with the dentist and the practice. If the child is frightened, uncomfortable or non-cooperative, a rescheduling may be necessary. Patience and calm on the part of the parent and reassuring communication with your child are very important in these instances. Short, successive visits are meant to build the child's trust in the dentist and the dental office, and can prove invaluable if your child needs to be treated later for any dental problem.
Child appointments
should always be scheduled
earlier in the day,
when your child is alert
and fresh. For children
under 24-36 months,
the parent may need
to sit in the dental
chair and hold the child
during the examination.
Also, parents may be
asked to wait in the
reception area so a
relationship can be
built between your child
and the dentist. If
the child is compliant,
the first session often
lasts between 15-30
minutes and may include
the following, depending
on age:
. A gentle
but thorough examination
of the teeth, jaw, bite,
gums and oral tissues
to monitor
growth and
development and observe
any problem areas; If
indicated, a gentle
cleaning,
which includes
polishing teeth and
removing any plaque,
tartar build-up and
stains;
. X-rays;
. A demonstration
on proper home cleaning;
. Assessment
of the need for fluoride.
The dentist should be
able to answer any questions
you have and try to
make you and your child
feel comfortable throughout
the visit. The entire
dental team and the
office should provide
a relaxed, non-threatening
environment for your
child.
When should the
next visit be?
Children, like adults,
should see the dentist
every six months. Some
dentists may schedule
interim visits for every
3 months when the child
is very young to build
up a comfort and confidence
level, or to treat a
developing problem.
How do I find
a good dentist for
my child?
Many general dentists
treat children. If yours
does not, ask for a
referral to a good dentist
in your area. A word-of-mouth
recommendation from
a friend or family member
can also yield the name
of a quality dentist.
Five ways to
protect your child's
oral health at home
Parents typically provide
oral hygiene care until
the child is old enough
to take personal responsibility
for the daily dental
health routine of brushing
and flossing. A proper
regimen
of home preventive
care is important from
the day your child is
born.
1. Clean your infant's
gums with a clean, damp
cloth. Ask your dentist
if you may rub a tiny
dab of toothpaste on
the gums.
2. As soon as the first
teeth come in, begin
brushing them with a
small, soft-bristled
toothbrush
and a pea-sized
dab of fluoride toothpaste.
Remember, most children
are also getting
fluoride
from the community water
supply.
3. To avoid baby bottle
tooth decay and teeth
misalignment due to
sucking, try to wean
your
child off of the
breast and bottle by
one year of age, and
monitor excessive sucking
of
pacifiers, fingers
and thumbs. Never
give your child a bottle
of milk, juice or sweetened
liquid as a pacifier
at naptime or bedtime.
4. Help a young child
brush at night - the
most important time
to brush, due to lower
salivary
flow
and higher susceptibility
to cavities and plaque.
Perhaps let the child
brush his teeth
first
to
build self-confidence,
then the parent can
follow up to ensure
that all plaque is
removed.
Usually by age
5 or so, the child can
learn to brush his or
her own teeth with
proper
parental instruction.
5. The best way to
teach a child how to
brush is to lead by
good example. Allowing
your child
to
watch you brush your
teeth teaches the importance
of good oral hygiene.