It’s just a fact of life: Along with the piles of diapers, sleepless nights, and joy over the baby’s arrival, new moms expect to make well-child visits to the medical provider. But equally important to a baby’s good health is that first visit to the dentist by age one. While the first well-child visit to the medical provider focuses on vaccines, its equally important purpose is to build a relationship with the family. The earlier baby and mom get to know the medical provider, the less anxiety there is over time. The same is true of that first visit to the dentist. Regular check-ups, starting by age one, can help ensure there will be no problems–in the mouth or with anxiety and fear.
At those early visits, parents can expect the dentist to
- check baby’s mouth
- brush the teeth (usually while singing a song together)
- apply fluoride varnish
- answer questions and share guidance
- note oral health concerns to share with the medical provider
- deliver age-appropriate messages to keep baby healthy
Oral health messages are tailored to the baby’s development for optimal health and safety. With the first tooth, the conversation is about making teething easier; if the child is one, it’s about effective bottle-weaning; if the child is learning to walk, it’s about preventing falls and dental trauma. Having a secure and safe place to talk about baby’s oral health is important, and knowing what to expect in caring for a child’s teeth can eliminate busy parents’ stress and worry.
Interested in learning more? See the video Top 3 Things You Can Do to Protect a Child’s Healthy Smile.
