Infant Dental Care
First Visit by Age One!
Frederick Pediatric Dentistry supports the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s recommendation that a child’s dental home be established by the age of one, or by the time the first tooth appears in the mouth. This recommendation is a very important one because it sets the stage for a lifetime of positive dental experiences and a healthy mouth- which, in turn, can lead to a healthy body and mind.
Some children develop severe dental problems at very young ages. A combination of genetics and environmental factors causes some children to get tooth decay as early as eight or ten months of age. A visit to the dentist by the age of one year is very valuable in preventing early childhood caries (tooth decay in very young children) because it promptly addresses the causes of the disease. If detected early, this problem can usually be corrected.
Dental decay and tooth pain are major reasons for missed school visits in the United States today. Fortunately, regular checkups and good oral hygiene beginning by the age of one can often prevent early childhood caries.
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The Dental Home
We thank you for considering our practice as your child’s dental home!
During the exam, your infant or child should have every opportunity to feel secure and safe. Many children are not yet ready to sit in the dental chair by themselves. We will invite you to actively participate in the exam by holding your child on your lap.
At most first visits for infants and toddlers, the dentist examines your child’s teeth, gums, head, and neck. Pediatric dentists are specially trained to educate parents of infants and very young children about their growing child’s dental needs. This is formally known as “anticipatory guidance.” Your child’s dentist will chat with you about such topics as medical history, dental and oral development, determine the need for possible fluoride supplementation, diet, non-nutritive habits (such as pacifier or thumb sucking), prevention of dental injuries, and oral hygiene specifically related to children.
The dentist or another member of our team will also complete a verbal or written oral health risk assessment. This is a tool that dentists use to help determine how at-risk your child is for developing dental problems in the future. You and your child’s dentist may discuss how the bacteria that cause tooth decay can be spread from you or your child’s other caregivers directly to your child. The first visit is quite comprehensive and should be a valuable learning experience for everyone involved.
