A Childs First Dental Visit

For many parents of young children - the l last thing they want to do is schlep their baby to the dentist for a wellness visit. This visit however sets a child up for dental success. A toddler's first dental visit should occur by age 1 year, or within 6 months of the first tooth eruption, in order to establish a dental home and begin preventive care according to the The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and American Dental Association.

Many new parents ask what is really done during this visit and if it is necessary. 

Lets first look into what to expect at this visit:  the visit focuses on education, prevention, and early identification of risk factors for dental caries

During the visit:

• Caries risk assessment: Your provider will evaluate the individual  tug-of-war between factors that destroy tooth enamel  and factors that protect it in your child's teeth.

• Anticipatory guidance on oral hygiene and diet: This includes recommendations related to feeding, preparing for upcoming developmental milestones, safety risks, etc.

• Counseling about fluoride use. Your provider will discuss the recommended fluoride prgiven each child's individualized situation

• Intraoral & Extraoral examinations: Your provider will perform a brief exam of your child to evaluate and ensure proper development. Often we evaluate  tooth position, tongue position, and overall facial development and  anatomy. Your provider will also evaluate the frenum ( tissue attachments) in your child's mouth to ensure there is no tongue-tie.

We find equally important is for children to gain familiarity and comfort with their oral health care provider. Early dental visits have been associated with decreased costs and improved preventive care patterns. Many adults develop dental anxiety or phobia because they did not have positive early childhood dental visits.

At Valley Arts Dental we understand the important responsibility of laying he groundwork for a child's lifelong dental health. If you ever have a question about your childs dental health