I can tell you exactly how old my daughter was when she got her first tooth. Actually, I can tell how old she was when every single one of her teeth poked through the surface of her gums. I'm that meticulous with her baby book.
Up until a few months ago, though, I couldn't say I was very meticulous about caring for those teeth.
Don't get me wrong; my daughter was brushing her teeth twice a day since before she turned 2. She even let her dad and me help. The problem was we didn't know what we were doing. Our first visit to the dentist helped.
Most family dentists suggest waiting until a child's 3rd birthday to schedule a first dental appointment. Since pediatric dentists focus on prevention and early detection, they generally suggest bringing children in much earlier-sometime around their 1st birthday. Richfield pediatric dentist, Dr. Joann Boraas, D.D.S., M.S., says that from 12 months to 3 years, pediatric dental visits are preventive as well as diagnostic. Those first few appointments "introduce the child to the office," she says. They also include an oral examination of teeth, soft tissue and development.
"We show parents what areas need to be brushed better and how to brush," says Boraas. They talk about the effects of diet on dental health, the effectiveness of fluoride, as well as habits like finger/thumb sucking and pacifier use.
When that first tooth comes in, it's time to take action. Boraas suggests using a washcloth to rub the tooth clean. "It helps them become used to having something moving on their teeth," she says, "and makes them more open to brushing when their other teeth come in." Boraas recommends parents help their children brush their teeth until age 7, when they have the manual dexterity to brush and floss on their own. For young children, consider having two brushes-one they chew on and one with good bristles that you can use.
According to Boraas, many parents do not know that brushing is only a smart part of keeping your child's teeth healthy. The foods they eat play a much bigger role than you likely think. Sticky foods that are retained in the mouth for longer periods of time and frequent eating (versus scheduled meals) can damage teeth. Refined carbohydrates and soda also play a big role in poor dental health as well. The acid in soda is destructive to teeth, and carbonation can leech minerals from bones and teeth.
"Pediatric dentists are comfortable seeing kids of all ages, as well as those with special needs," says Boraas. Adolescents and teenagers have their own set of concerns that can be effectively managed with a pediatric dentist, including bite problems, wisdom teeth, diet, and tobacco use.
Particularly with young children, however, pediatric dentists specialize in what Boraas calls "Tell-Show-Do." First, they explain what is going to happen to their patients in terms they can understand. Next, they show them what they will be using so there are no surprises. Lastly, they get the job done. It's not just about getting through a dental procedure; it's also about education and calming children who might be afraid.
Pediatric dentists have an additional two to three years of dental school, beyond their basic dental degree. Their coursework is both academically and clinically based in the study of disease prevention, decay, the treatment of decay, growth and development, as well as behavioral and child psychology.
When kids walk through the front door of a pediatric dental office, they usually know it's a place designed just for them. But it's more than interesting decorations and toys. Pediatric dental offices usually offer choices for kids-from toothpaste and dental floss flavors to sunglasses and mirrors. They even have different size x-ray films and flavors for fluoride treatments. "It's important to give choices," says Boraas. "We're adaptable."
As a parent, you were sent home from the hospital with a baby, a baby that didn't have any teeth. But more than likely, when that first tooth came in, you weren't quite sure how to take care of it. An early visit to the dentist, before plaque has time to find a home in your child's mouth, may be just the ounce of prevention your child needs to start out life in good dental health.
