The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend that your child see a dentist by their first birthday. That seems really early for a first dental visit, right? Well, there are some good reasons for this recommendation. Infant dental care sets the foundation for great lifetime oral health.
First and foremost, it is important that a child’s first dental visit be quick, easy and pain-free. Establishing a good rapport between dentist and child is critically important to ensure that they know that a dental office is a safe place. If you wait to take your child to the dentist, their first visit may be to address pain caused by cavities. Psychologically, this is not the best way for a child to start a relationship with a dentist.
The first baby teeth typically erupt (or come into the mouth) around six months of age, and cavities can form as soon as this occurs. This makes infant dental care very important. Cavities and the corresponding pain not only affect a child psychologically, but they can also affect the space available for permanent teeth to erupt. Cavities on baby teeth actually decrease the space available for permanent teeth later. Early dental visits for infant dental care also help provide proper education for parents to help their children stay cavity-free.
Before their first visit to the dentist, there are things you can do to help improve the oral health of your baby and offer great infant dental care:
- Never put your baby to bed with a bottle containing formula, breast milk, cow milk, juice or anything other than water! All of the above, except water, contain sugar, which can contribute to cavities.
- Don’t share saliva with your baby. This can include kissing them on the lips, using the same spoon to eat or cleaning their pacifier by putting it in your mouth. All of these actions will help transmit bacteria to your child, which is really like infecting them with bacteria.
- Clean your baby’s gums after feeding and before bed. Use a thin, clean washcloth and gently rub your baby’s gums to remove bacteria on the gums.
- Soft bristle toothbrush. Once the baby’s teeth erupt, introduce a soft bristle toothbrush to clean the teeth, but continue to use the washcloth to clean the gums and the teeth because it is challenging to effectively use a toothbrush at this age.
- No toothpaste. When you start to use the toothbrush, we recommend not using toothpaste. Mechanically cleaning the teeth is more important than the benefits of using toothpaste. If you choose to use toothpaste, use toothpaste that does not contain fluoride as it can be harmful when swallowed.
- Talk to your pediatrician about fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. Most toothpaste for adults contains fluoride. You should not use fluoridated toothpaste at this age so that it is not swallowed. However, depending on where you live, fluoride supplements may be recommended.
- Finally, schedule that first dental appointment by age 1! You can schedule an appointment at Puget Sound Pediatric Dentistry online or call our office. We look forward to meeting you and your child!