Your Baby’s First Dental Appointment

What Does Infant Dentistry Entail?

Infant dentistry generally involves simple dental examinations and counseling for parents on the proper oral hygiene for infants and toddlers. The focus of infant dentistry is entirely on prevention and early detection of tooth decay.

At your infant’s first visit to the dentist, he will probably be given a tour of the dental office, will be introduced to the hygienist’s cleaning tools (although a cleaning will probably not be done), and will get a brief exam to see if the teeth are developing properly and to ensure that there are no signs of early decay. You can expect the atmosphere to be lighthearted and non-threatening—if your child is not interested in participating in a particular aspect of the visit, the dentist probably won’t push it. The point is to make your child feel at ease and to provide instruction for you on how best to care for your child’s teeth.

Do Babies Really Need Dental Care?

Although many pediatricians will not recommend a visit to the dentist until your child is 3 to 4 years old, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends that children have their first dental examination when they are 6 to 12 months old.

The American Dental Association reports that at least 20% of children will develop at least one cavity before their fifth birthday. Fifty to 70% of children will have developed one or more cavities by the time they leave grade school. Many parents are simply unconcerned about cavities that occur in baby teeth since they will ultimately fall out anyway, but it is important to keep in mind that our baby teeth serve as placeholders for our permanent teeth.

Unhealthy or missing baby teeth can cause problems for permanent teeth as they erupt. There is a distinct possibility of misalignment, overcrowding, and even problems with the function of your child’s teeth and jaw. Preventive dental care from an early age is an essential part of safeguarding your child’s long-term oral health.

The idea of caring for an infant’s teeth and gums is not a new one—parents are advised to begin cleaning their child’s gums routinely beginning at birth, starting with a soft washcloth and then moving to a soft-bristled brush as baby teeth begin erupting. The reason for this is that nursing and bottle-feeding can lead to a kind of tooth decay called Early Childhood Caries.

What Are the Benefits?

A visit to the dentist early in childhood will help your child to feel more comfortable in a dental office environment and should make later visits stressful. Establishing a dental record for your infant could also come in handy in the event that his teeth are impacted by a fall or other accident (all too common as children learn to walk, run and climb during the toddler years).

Because early childhood cavities is a real cause for concern, a visit to the dentist while your child is still nursing or bottle-feeding is a good way to detect or prevent this kind of decay. Your child’s dentist will be able to verify that decay has not already occurred and educate you about how to avoid future problems with your child’s teeth.

What Are the Risks?

Virtually no risks are associated with taking your baby to see a pediatric dentist. However, it is up to you to determine whether or not dental care so early in life is worth the expense. You can do a number of things at home to prevent tooth decay and set the stage for the long-term health of your child’s smile. For instance, your child should never fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water, and fruit juices should only be offered at meals, from a cup. If you follow the American Dental Asssociation’s recommendations for the prevention of cavities in infants, you will greatly reduce your child’s risk for developing tooth decay.

The Bottom Line

While taking your baby to the dentist may initially seem like more hassle than it’s worth, there are a number of good reasons to do so. Early professional intervention is an important element of preventing cavities in young children, which will have a lasting positive impact on the long-term health of your child’s teeth. Furthermore, introducing your child to the people, tools and procedures associated with a visit to the dentist at a very early age will go a long way toward making future visits less stressful for both of you. Bottom line? Given the prevalence of cavities in young children and the potential for serious long-term consequences, your infant’s first dental appointment will most certainly be one hour well-spent.