FAQ
Your Child's Dental Care
When should your child
first see a dentist, and why?
The ideal time is six months after your child's first (primary) teeth erupt.
This timeframe is a perfect opportunity for the dentist to carefully examine
the development of your child's mouth. Because dental problems often start
early, the sooner the visit the better. To safeguard against problems such as baby
bottle tooth decay, teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged
thumb-sucking, the dentist can provide or recommend special preventive care.
How do I prepare my
child and myself for the visit?
Before the visit, ask the dentist about the procedures of the first appointment
so there are no surprises. Plan a course of action for either reaction your
child may exhibit -cooperative or non-cooperative. Very young children may be
fussy and not sit still. Talk to your child about what to expect, and build
excitement as well as understanding about the upcoming visit. Bring with you to
the appointment any records of your child's complete medical history.
What will happen on the
first visit?
Many first visits are nothing more than introductory icebreakers to acquaint
your child with the dentist and the practice. If the child is frightened,
uncomfortable or non-cooperative, a rescheduling may be necessary. Patience and
calm on the part of the parent and reassuring communication with your child are
very important in these instances. Short, successive visits are meant to build
the child's trust in the dentist and the dental office, and can prove
invaluable if your child needs to be treated later for any dental problem.
Child
appointments should always be scheduled earlier in the day, when your child is
alert and fresh. For children under 24-36 months, the parent may need to sit in
the dental chair and hold the child during the examination. Also, parents may
be asked to wait in the reception area so a relationship can be built between
your child and the dentist. If the child is compliant, the first session often
lasts between 15-30 minutes and may include the following, depending on age:
. A gentle but thorough examination of the teeth, jaw, bite, gums
and oral tissues to monitor
growth and development and observe any problem areas; If
indicated, a gentle cleaning,
which includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque,
tartar build-up and stains;
. X-rays;
. A demonstration on proper home cleaning;
. Assessment of the need for fluoride.
The dentist should be able to answer any questions you have and try to make you
and your child feel comfortable throughout the visit. The entire dental team
and the office should provide a relaxed, non-threatening environment for your
child.
When should the next
visit be?
Children, like adults, should see the dentist every six months. Some dentists
may schedule interim visits for every 3 months when the child is very young to
build up a comfort and confidence level, or to treat a developing problem.
How do I find a good
dentist for my child?
Many general dentists treat children. If yours does not, ask for a referral to
a good dentist in your area. A word-of-mouth recommendation from a friend or
family member can also yield the name of a quality dentist.
Five
ways to protect your child's oral health at home
Parents typically provide oral hygiene care until the child is old enough to
take personal responsibility for the daily dental health routine of brushing and
flossing. A proper regimen
of home preventive care is important from the day your child is born.
1. Clean
your infant's gums with a clean, damp cloth. Ask your dentist if you may rub a
tiny
dab of toothpaste on the gums.
2. As
soon as the first teeth come in, begin brushing them with a small,
soft-bristled toothbrush
and a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste. Remember, most
children are also getting
fluoride from the community water supply.
3. To
avoid baby bottle tooth decay and teeth misalignment due to sucking, try to
wean your
child off of the breast and bottle by one year of age,
and monitor excessive sucking of
pacifiers, fingers and thumbs. Never give your
child a bottle of milk, juice or sweetened
liquid as a pacifier at naptime or bedtime.
4. Help
a young child brush at night - the most important time to brush, due to lower
salivary
flow and higher susceptibility to cavities and plaque.
Perhaps let the child brush his teeth
first to build self-confidence, then the parent can follow
up to ensure that all plaque is
removed. Usually by age 5 or so, the child can learn to
brush his or her own teeth with
proper parental instruction.
5. The
best way to teach a child how to brush is to lead by good example. Allowing
your child
to watch you brush your teeth teaches the importance
of good oral hygiene.