Infant Oral Health
Establishing a 'Dental Home' for Your Baby
When you are expecting a baby a lot of thought goes into choosing the right pediatrician for him or her, but not many parents consider the importance of establishing a relationship with a pediatric dentist. Many parents are unaware that the American Academy of Pediatricians suggests that all children establish a “dental home” by their first birthday. Today, early childhood dental caries (an infectious disease involving tooth decay) is 5 times more common in children than asthma. The role of a good pediatric dentist is essential in fostering a lifetime of excellent oral health, which is an important part of overall health.
A pediatric dentist is one that has special, advanced training in dealing with the needs of the children. In addition to four years of dental school, they have two additional years of residency training in dentistry for infants, children, teens and children with special needs. Children and babies are not just small adults. Pediatric dentists know how to examine and treat them in ways that make them comfortable. They use equipment designed for children and their offices are decorated with children in mind.
A child’s first visit should occur around the time of their first birthday or six months after the eruption of the first tooth. The first visit should ideally be a non-emergency visit to develop a positive relationship with the pediatric dentist and the staff. This should be a welcoming experience for you and your child from the first phone call through the actual meeting with the dentist. Prior to the first visit, do not tell scary stories about going to the dentist. Do your best not to relay any anxiety you might feel about dental visits. Schedule a morning appointment when children tend to be rested and cooperative.
At the first visit the pediatric dentist will show you how to clean your child’s teeth and discuss fluoride needs. The dentist will gently examine the teeth and gums. Also a check will be made for problems, such as baby bottle tooth decay. As your infant becomes a toddler, the dentist will check for decay and other problems. If necessary, the child’s teeth will be cleaned. Your toddler can also be evaluated for habits such as prolonged thumb or finger sucking.
Early preventive care is also a sound economic investment. Some parents avoid taking children to the dentist to save money, yet studies show that dental costs for children who have their first visit before age one are 40% lower in the first five years than for those who do not see a dentist prior to their first birthday.
In addition to establishing a dental home, as parent, you are a partner in your infant’s dental well being. The following are some guidelines for your infant’s dental home care:
- Brush your child’s gums twice a day with a soft cloth or baby toothbrush and water even before the first tooth appears
- Talk to your pediatrician or pediatric dentist about your child’s fluoride needs. Infants require fluoride to help developing teeth grow strong. Children that drink primarily bottled water may not be getting the fluoride they need.
- If you must put your child to sleep with a bottle, use nothing but water, other beverages can damage teeth, leading to cavities. Children risk severe decay from using a bottle during naps or at night or when they nurse continuously from the breast.
- Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.
- Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants. Most stop by age 2 and it should be discouraged after age 4. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crowded, crooked teeth or bite problems.
- Never dip a pacifier in honey or anything sweet before giving it to a baby.
- The best times to brush your child’s teeth are after breakfast and before bed.
- Limit the frequency of snacking, which can increase a child’s risk of developing cavities.
- Take good care of your own teeth so that cavity-causing bacteria are not as easily transmitted to children. Don’t clean pacifiers and eating utensils with your own mouth before giving them to children. Studies show that babies and small children can catch cavity causing bacteria from their parents or caregivers.
- Lastly toddlers are susceptible to falls and injuries. Prevention strategies include: Buffering hard edges and corners and using non-skid mats in the tubs.
Put ice or cold compress on an oral injury. See your dentist if a tooth has been knocked out, displaced in the socket, or loose after an injury. Go to an emergency room if your child has had a severe blow to the head or a jaw fracture.