When Should A Baby First See The Dentist

Really, a child is never too young for their first dental appointment. Two months is great age for that first visit – that way the dentist can advise the parents what to expect when the baby’s teeth first arrive and explain how to care for the baby’s gums.

At six months, the baby’s first teeth arrive. Ideally, this will be the second visit to the dentist, so the baby is getting used to the office and the environment. Maybe the dentist will even clean the new teeth if the baby is up for it. If not, at least contact was made and the visit was no doubt a pleasant one.

The biggest problems arise when the parents wait until the child is six or seven years old for the first visit to the dentist. They usually come in because their kid has a loose tooth or a cavity, and then the first meeting with the dentist is associated with pain. That’s what you want to avoid.

When a child’s first meeting with a dentist is associated with a needle full of Novocain, drilling, and filling, it creates distrust and fear. Who wants to spend their afternoon like that?

Not only is preventative care more comfortable, it’s also cheaper. It’s a lot less expensive to get your teeth cleaned than to get a filling. Sedation is more expensive still, and that’s seldom a fun time for anyone.

One of the most common causes of tooth decay in young children is “bottle mouth.” That’s caused when the child is given a bottle containing formula, milk, or juice for an extended period of time. This becomes a real concern when the baby’s teeth start coming in.

These drinks contain sugars which create acid when they react with the bacteria in the baby’s mouth. This acid begins attacking the teeth after 20 minutes, and that’s what leads to cavities. Here are a few simple tips to help avoid bottle mouth:

1.    If your child takes a bottle to bed, fill it only with water. Because your child has less saliva while sleeping, acid from milk, formula, and juices are even more damaging at night.
2.    After feeding, wipe your baby’s teeth with a soft cloth.
3.    Begin brushing the baby’s teeth as soon as they are fully visible.
4.    Take your child to the dentist no later than the appearance of the first tooth, then maintain the schedule of recommended visits.

Starting a child off with early visits to the dentist will instill trust and help ensure that the child keeps up regular dental checkups into adulthood. A dentist can be your first line of defense against the systemic inflammatory diseases associated with gingivitis.

Dr. Long Vo and Dr. Julie Dao love to see children at Smile Centre Dental in Burlington Ontario. Smile Centre Dental is a family-centric office that specializes in pain-free and no-needle dentistry.

This video has one question and answer by Dr. Long Vo when interviewed for DentalSecrets101.com

To get YOUR questions answered or for a consultation or dental appointment, Burlington ON Dentist Dr. Long Vo can be reached at 905.332.0330

First Dentist Appointment – When Should A Baby First See The Dentist?

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When Should A Baby First See The Dentist

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