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A child's first dental visit is an important step toward good dental health. This visit should happen between 6 and 12 months. There are many benefits of starting routine dental visits at this age. First it familiarizes him or her with what happens in a dental visit such as an exam, cleaning and fluoride treatment. It also helps builds trust between the child and the dentist as they learn what to expect when they go to the dentist. The dentist will also have the chance to examine your child's mouth for decay, proper development, any abnormalities and evaluate current hygiene. Finally, the visit is for the parent to help instruct in proper oral hygiene technique, give guidance for diet and oral habits and educate you on other important issues with primary teeth such as fluoride use. Our eventual goal is to help your child develop a healthy mouth and trust and for the parent to to know all they can do to reach those same goals.
The first tooth usually erupts between 6-9 months of age. However there is a wide
range of tooth eruption and it is not unusual for a child to have delayed eruption
of teeth. When your child is teething he or she will be restless, may drool, gums
may be sensitive, may have a low grade fever and diarrhea. Treatment can include
- massaging sore gums with a finger or teething rings, placing ice or frozen rings
on gum areas. The best remedy is your child's pediatric dose of Tylenol or fever
reducing medication for pain. Orajel type products may work for a short period of
time, but are not recommended.
Proper oral hygiene should be instituted as early as when the first tooth comes
into the mouth. Gums may be wiped clean with a damp wash cloth until teeth begin
to erupt. At that point teeth and gums should be brushed with a soft bristled brush
twice a day with a very thin smear of fluoride toothpaste. It is normal for the
child to swallow the toothpaste at this age. Dr. Burns will demonstrate the proper
amount during the child’s first visit. The brushing and toothpaste will remove plaque
and begin also to strengthen the teeth as they mature.Plaque will form on any tooth and the gum pads around
them causing potential inflammation and teething discomfort.
Dental problems can begin very early. The primary cause of dental decay in young
children is nursing or baby bottle tooth decay. A baby may get severe decay when
he or she nurses constantly from the breast or a bottle containing milk or juice
during bedtime or naps. A child should not be put to bed with a bottle of milk,
juice, or sweetened liquid. If a bottle is used, only water should be used. A pacifier
is preferable. It is advisable to stop bottle or breast feeding by one year of age.
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