Oral Health
For Pregnancy & Baby
Before we start talking about your child’s first dental visit, it is crucial to mention the importance of dental care for the pregnant women. Every expectant mother should receive a comprehensive oral health evaluation. It is well known that many women do not seek dental care during pregnancy, which can cause complications such as gum diseases. Mothers with poor oral health are at the greatest risk of transmitting bacteria that causes tooth decay, which can affect children at early ages.
After the pregnant mother obtains good oral health, it is time to introduce oral health care to the child. When should your child see the dentist for the first time? What should you expect from your child’s first dental visit? Those are some questions that are still not clear for a lot of parents around the U.S. Your pediatrician should be the first person to recommend the right professional for your child’s first dental visit.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that every infant receive an oral health risk assessment from his/her primary health care provider (Pediatrician) by 6 months of age. That first assessment includes:
- Risk of developing oral disease.
- Providing education on infant oral health.
- Evaluating and optimizing fluoride exposure.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry also recommends the first dental visit at the age of 12 months or 6 months after the child’s first tooth erupts. This also includes establishing a dental home. The following should be accomplished at the first dental office visit:
- Evaluate infant’s medical history and mother’s and children dental history.
- Oral examination.
- Assess infant’s tooth decay risk.
- Discuss dental and oral development, fluoride status, non-nutritive sucking habits, teething, injury prevention, oral hygiene instruction and diet habits.
- Plan for comprehensive care.
- Refer patients to the appropriate health professional if necessary.
What should the parents do to establish good dental home care?
- Oral hygiene should be implemented no later than the time of the eruption of the first primary tooth, either a washcloth or soft toothbrush help reduce bacterial colonization.
- A “smear” of fluoridated toothpaste is recommended for children less than 2 years of age, while a “pea-size” amount of paste is recommended for children 2-5 years of age.
- Twice a day brushing with fluoridated toothpaste is recommended for all children.
- Flossing should also be introduced by the mother at an early age on a daily bases especially the back teeth.
- Additional intake of systemic fluoride is based on the unique needs of each patient. A consult with your pediatric dentist is recommended.
- Frequent night time bottle feeding, ad libitum breast-feeding, and repeated use of sippy or no-spill cups are associated with early childhood tooth decay.
- Frequent consumption of snacks or drinks containing fermentable carbohydrates (juice, milk, formula, soda) can also increase the risk of dental decay.
- Prolonged use of pacifier, thumb sucking, tooth grinding, can contribute to dental malocclusion. Discuss possible treatment with your pediatric dentist at the first dental appointment.
Your child’s first dental visit is not only important for the parents to be familiar with all the topics mentioned above but also it is a great chance for the child to become familiar to a new environment such as the dental office.
