Dental Care for Children

Many parents are unsure of when their children need to first see the dentist. The easy answer is "First visit by first birthday." That's the opinion of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that children who are at risk of early childhood cavities need to see a pediatric dentist by age 1. This idea of such early dental visits is still surprising to many adults, but national research has revealed that the incidence of cavities have been increasing in preschool-aged children. More than 25% of children in the United States has had at least one cavity by the age of 4, but many kids get cavities as early as age 2 (Child Dental Health, 2010).

To prevent early childhood cavities, parents first need to find out their child's risk of developing cavities. They also need to learn how to manage diet, hygiene and fluoride to prevent problems. But cavities aren't all that parents need to learn about their child's dental health. The age 1 dental visit lets parents discuss how to care for an infant's or toddler's mouth, proper use of fluoride, oral habits, including finger and thumb sucking, ways to prevent accidents that could damage the face and teeth, teething and milestones of development, and the link between diet and oral health (Child Dental Health, 2010).

The purpose of the age 1 dental visit is to learn about a child's oral health and how to best care for a child's unique needs before any problems occur. Many dental problems can be prevented or more easily treated in the early stages. The first visit a child has with a dentist is mainly to ask questions and get the child comfortable with being in a dental office.  Children may fuss during parts or all of the dental visit. However, parents may be surprised at how accepting infants can be when the dentist examines them. They may enjoy the attention the visit involves. Bringing a favorite toy, blanket or other familiar object will help children know that the dental office is a comfortable and safe place (Child Dental Health, 2010).

The age 1 care visit is similar to a well-baby check at the physician's office. At the visit, parents should expect the dentist or hygienist to review the child’s history. The dentist will also discuss the child’s overall health including development, teething, dental bite, soft tissues, oral habits, factors that affect the risk of cavities, such as diet, hygiene practices, fluoride use and whether others in the family have cavities, and how to prevent trauma to your child’s mouth. An oral examination will occur during the first visit as well. The dentist or hygienist may also clean the child's teeth during this visit. This is likely to occur if the child's teeth have a stain that commonly appears in infants. The dentist or hygienist also may apply fluoride, particularly if the child has a higher than average risk of developing cavities (Children’s Oral Health, 2012).

After leaving the dentist’s office, parents should have their questions answered. They also should know what the parent as well as the dentist can do together to make sure the child has excellent oral health.

A very common topic that is brought up at a child’s first dental visit is baby bottle tooth decay. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early Childhood Caries. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Their first teeth also help make sure their adult teeth come in correctly. It’s important to start infants off with good oral care to help protect their teeth for decades to come (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, 2009).

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected. There are many factors which can cause tooth decay. One common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, 2009).

Tooth decay is a disease that can begin with cavity-causing bacteria being passed from the mother to the infant. These bacteria are passed through the saliva. When the mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth, or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria can be passed to the baby. If the infant or toddler does not receive an adequate amount of fluoride, they may also have an increased risk for tooth decay. The good news is that decay is preventable (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, 2009).

Prevention techniques are very inexpensive and easy to follow. Mothers should try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, parents should wipe the child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth. When your child’s teeth come in, parents should brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and water. Parents should brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste from the ages of 2 to 6. Parents should place only formula, milk or breastmilk in bottles, and avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks. Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed. If the child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey. Parents should also encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday. Keeping the child’s teeth clean healthy and well cared for is the way to enforce and maintain lasting dental health (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, 2009).

 "Baby Bottle Tooth Decay." Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Illinois Department of Health, (2009). 6 Feb. 2013. .

“Child Dental Health." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, (2010) Web. 6 Feb. 2013. .

 “Children's Oral Health." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2012). 6 Feb. 2013. .