The first "regular" dental visit should be when the first tooth appears or no later than his/her first birthday. This visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. Select an appointment time when your child is alert and rested. Depending on the child’s age, we may ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the examination. The parent may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and our specialist.We will gently examine your child's mouth, teeth, gums, discuss diet/nutrition, proper oral hygiene care, asses fluoride intake, evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking, work on preventing any dental problems that can occur and off course discuss all subjects of concern towards your child’s mouth health . Depending on the age, level of cooperation and oral health of the child we may also take x-rays (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child's permanent teeth under the gums), clean your child's teeth and apply topical fluoride and fissure sealants to help protect the teeth against decay. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child's teeth.
First dental visits are mostly educational. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry “AAPD” recommends that every child visit the dentist by the child's first birthday. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend a child visit the dentist by age one as well. This “well baby check” for the teeth can establish a dental home and helps ensure that parents learn the tools they'll need to help their children remain cavity-free.Give your child some control over the dental visit. Such choices as “Will you hold your bear or should I?” or “Which color toothbrush do you like?” will make the visit more enjoyable. Give center stage to the pediatric dentist. If the pediatric dentist does most of the talking, the pediatric dentist and your child will build a better relationship. The parent and pediatric dentist can talk after the examination.
We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child's reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.• Read books with them about going to the dentist.
• Review with them what the dentist will be doing at the time of the first visit.
• Speak positively about your own dental experiences
• Take your child for a "preview" or online tour of the office.
• Explain before the visit that the dentist is a friend and will help your child keep his teeth healthy.
• Answer all your child’s questions positively. (Keep an ear out for scary stories from peers and siblings.)
We encourage your child to explore their new dental environment! We invite you to be an active part of your child’s dental health. Please do not be upset if your child cries. Children are often afraid of anything new and different, and crying is a normal reaction to that fear. We ask that parents assume the role of a silent observer. We have found that your presence is greatly enhanced if you play a passive role. If more than one person is speaking to the child, they may become confused and overwhelmed. Cooperation and trust must be established directly between our pediatric specialist and dental team and your child – not through the parent repeating everything. We tell children in simple terms what is going to be done. ie: an exam becomes “looking and counting your teeth”. A cleaning becomes “brush and tickle your teeth”. We encourage parents to use these terms when talking to their child about their dental experiences.
If you do as a parent get into the dental operatory with your child, please be considerate of the following;
Stand or sit in a location where your child knows you are nearby but cannot see your face. (Even a very young child is totally tuned in to your facial cues. It only takes one worried look to inadvertently upset your child.)
Be a silent observer. Let the pediatric dentist build rapport and provide positive coaching for your child.
If your child needs physical reassurance, you might consider holding your child’s hand or having your toddler sit on your lap.
Why Fill Baby Teeth When They Fall Out Anyway?
While it is true that baby teeth do eventually come out, it is also true that they are important to a child in the meantime. Primary or baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth to grow in. If one is lost, the others can shift into the empty space and prevent the permanent tooth from erupting. This often means a crooked smile in a child’s future. In addition, a decayed tooth can become abscessed and cause discomfort for a child. “Tooth decay causes significant pain, loss of school days and may lead to infections and even death.” Left untreated, dental caries can result in a broad range of functional impairments that have far-reaching implications for growth, development, school performance, and peer social relationships. Infection from decayed primary teeth can damage the permanent teeth developing under them.
Tooth-Colored Fillings: Virtually Invisible Treatment for Cavities
Tooth-colored fillings are made from durable plastics called composite resins. Similar in color and texture to natural teeth, the fillings are less noticeable and more attractive than other types of fillings. Your child can smile, talk and eat with confidence. Certain tooth-colored filling materials (such as glass ionomers) even release fluoride, resulting in a tooth that is more resistant to decay. In addition, tooth-colored fillings are compatible with dental sealants. A tooth can be filled and sealed at the same time to provide extra decay protection. Amalgams, the silver-colored fillings you probably got as a child, are still serving children well today. Used for over 100 years, amalgam fillings have been proven safe with patients all over the world. At Dr. Raed M. Abutteen Dental Center, we prefer using non-metal containing fillings and crowns for our patients.