My baby is only 12 months old and hardly has any teeth, isn’t it okay to wait a few years when he has more teeth and the dentist will have something to look at?
As a pediatric dentist I get asked this question daily. Before I answer that, let me tell you what a pediatric dentist does for your child.
A pediatric dentist is a dentist who, after graduating dental school, completed a residency where they received 2-3 years of specialized training in performing dentistry for children. Areas of focus include child psychology and behavior, behavior management, growth and development, treatment through the transition of primary (baby) to adult teeth, pediatric medicine, and care of special needs children. Pediatric dentists treat only children from birth through the teenage years.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Dental Association (ADA) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) all recommend that children have their first dental visit within 6 months of their first tooth or no later than 12 months of age.
“Why so young?”, you may ask. Here is a secret for parents about their child’s first visit to the dentist…..it is less about your child and more for you. The best, easiest, cheapest and fastest dentistry out there is preventative dentistry. This means providing proper care and minimal treatment so that cavities and disease do not begin. The key to preventative dentistry is education. This is where Mom & Dad come in; the more educated you are about your child’s oral health, the more empowered you are to make smart, healthy decisions for your child’s oral hygiene, nutrition, and habits Knowledge is power.
A typical first dental visit will include topics like nursing and feeding habits, how cavities develop, bacteria in the mouth and how we get it, the family’s role in preventing disease, health and non-healthy habits, proper oral hygiene, fluoride, and how to deal with potential oral trauma like a chipped tooth. Parents play a vital role in their child’s oral health. Many studies have shown early intervention results in fewer cavities throughout childhood and less fear and anxiety felt by the child when visiting the dentist.
This brings us to your child. As we all know, children are very impressionable and it can sometimes be very difficult to break through negative impressions. Early and consistent visits to the dentist help teach children the role of the dentist and aids in establishing a positive relationship between the child and the dentist.
My goal when seeing children early and often is to capture their trust. Sometimes this takes a great deal of patience and understanding for all involved, but it is well worth a lifetime of positive experiences and health.
I’m happy and honored to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child’s oral healthcare. Together we can make a difference in the life of a child.
Dr. Brandon Shamblin is a Pediatric Dentist and in private practice in New Braunfels, TX. He can be reached by visiting the website of Treetop Pediatric Dentistry, www.treetopdental.com.
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