When you the baby’s first tooth erupts, it’s a big deal. It’s a rite of passage – a sign that they’re growing up (too fast). And let’s be real, it’s simple so cute!
This tooth is only the first of many more to come. And keeping all 20 baby teeth healthy and clean is important to your baby’s health. It’s also the beginning of instilling in them a lifelong commitment to good dental care — including brushing, flossing and regular dental visits.
But when should children start going to the dentist and what does the dentist do for baby teeth? General dentist Anne Clemons, DMDexplains.
When should babies start going to the dentist?
You should take your child for a first visit to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth appears, whichever comes first. Babies tend to erupt their first tooth around 6 months of age. And more usually follow quickly. So scheduling their first dental visit right around their first birthday is a safe bet for most kids.
After this initial visit, many dentists recommend that children return every six months. Regular visits help build your child’s comfort and confidence in visiting the dentist. It also gives the dentist plenty of time to monitor their teeth’s development and address any potential problems early.
Why are baby teeth so important?
Baby teeth (also called primary teeth) will fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth, probably from around age 6. So it can be tempting to think of them as somewhat disposable. But in reality, these baby teeth are important for your child’s development.
Among other important roles, baby teeth help develop clear speech. And they help give your child’s permanent teeth a healthy start. In fact, cavities and infections in baby teeth can damage their permanent teeth. So, even though these teeth are temporary, taking care of them is very important for your child’s dental health.
Like many things, dental concerns are easier to treat when caught early. Or better yet, prevent it in the first place.
“Attractive cavities early and learning how to prevent them is the best way to keep your child’s baby teeth – and eventually their permanent teeth – healthy,” says Dr. Clemons.
Choice of dentist
When choosing your child’s dentist, you may wonder if you can just take your little nugget to your dentist’s office or if a pediatric dentist is necessary.
General dentists are trained to care for your oral health from infancy through adulthood. Pediatric dentists are more specialized and treat mainly babies, children and teenagers. They have at least two additional years of training beyond dental school, where they focus specifically on pediatric dentistry and child development.
Dr. Clemons says whether your baby sees a general dentist or a pediatric dentist is a matter of your family’s preferences. “All dentists can address your child’s oral health needs. But a pediatric dentist, their staff, and even their office decor are usually child-oriented and can help put them at ease.”
If your child shows signs developmental delays or if you have concerns about their development, you may want to see a pediatric dentist. If you’re not sure, ask your dentist or a child’s health care provider, such as a pediatrician, what they recommend for your child.
What happens at your child’s first visit to the dentist?
What happens during a child’s first dental appointment will vary depending on their age, any problems they have, and other factors.
But you can expect that their first few visits to the dentist will mostly be a chance to get your child comfortable with the procedure and for the dentist to share their best tips.
The dentist will likely also do an examination of your child’s teeth. Some dentists may ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the exam. During the exam, the dentist will check your child’s existing teeth wear, examine your child’s bite and look for any problems with the gums, jaw and mouth tissues. If appropriate, the dentist will clean any teeth and assess the need fluoride.
Their dentist will likely share tips about taking care of children’s oral health, discuss any dental developmental issues, and answer your questions.
Topics your dentist may discuss with you include:
- Good oral hygiene practices for your child’s teeth and gums.
- Cavity prevention, including best practices for brushing and flossing.
- Fluoride needs.
- Oral habits (such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and lip sucking).
- Developmental milestones.
- teething.
- Proper nutrition.
- Scheduling future dental visits.
What about dental x-rays?
You’re probably used to getting it dental x-rays taken every year or so. But X-rays won’t necessarily be part of your child’s dental routine at first.
“There is no hard and fast rule for when to start taking dental x-rays,” notes Dr. Clemons. “Some children who may be at higher risk for dental problems, such as children prone to caries from a bottle or children with cleft lip/palate, they should get x-rays earlier than others. But there are many variations.”
Most children will have x-rays around age 5 or 6. This is because as children begin to erupt their adult teeth, x-rays will play a more important role. X-rays help your child’s dentist see if all of their adult teeth are growing in the jaw, if they have problems with their bite, and if their teeth are clean and healthy.
Oral hygiene for infants and toddlers
Between regular visits to the dentist, Daily oral hygiene should be part of your baby’s routine. This includes habits such as:
- Wipe baby’s gums with a soft cloth before they even start teething.
- Brushing the baby’s teeth (or teeth, as the case may be) twice a day.
- Floss daily as soon as your baby has two teeth that are touching.
- Discouraging thumb sucking.
- Avoiding bottle feeding in bed.
- Weaning from a pacifier around their first birthday.
- Change from bottle to cup when baby is around 18 months.
- Limiting sugar in your child’s diet.
Starting regular dental care early is important for your child’s oral and overall health. As you show off baby’s new chompers to friends and family, make it a priority to get in touch with a dentist. They also want a look at those pearly whites.
