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Infant Dental Care The age of a child's first dental visit is being reconsidered within the dental community. Traditionally parents were told to wait until the child was 3 before the first visit. However it is not uncommon for a 2 year old to have dental decay, therefore the American Association of Pediatric Dentists is recommending the first visit occur 6 months after the first tooth erupts and not after the age of 12 months. The first visit is a time to perform an oral exam, access the child's risk of developing oral and dental disease and determine the appropriate prevention plan for periodic reevaluation. It's also important to review fluoride status, effects of diet on the dentition and oral habits. Unfortunately many family physicians and pediatricians are recommending the first dental visit at three years of age despite the dental communities current recommendation. It is important that communication occur within the health community so a consensus be reached on the guidelines for pediatric dental preventive care. With proper guidance by the dentist, and armed with the appropriate home care instructions, children will experience less dental disease in their lifetime. Getting off to a good and early start is an important step to a healthy mouth. John
V. Reitz, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Copyright
2008. All rights reserved. |
