Dental decay remains the most common chronic disease in childhood. (That’s more than four times more prevalent than asthma!) Fortunately, dental caries is a preventable disease and the first dental visit at age one allows for early prevention, thus taking advantage of the most conservative treatment methods.

Early dental visits can prevent negative symptoms, reduce the amount of money spent on future dental services, and increases the chances for children to grow up with healthy mouths.  Placing children in a dental environment early allows them to become more comfortable with the office setting, creating the opportunity to have a great dental patient for life!

According to recent studies, yearly treatment costs for children who had their first dental visit by age 1 are considerably less than those who wait until they are older.  Research shows that children seen by a dentist before age 1 are more likely to see the dentist on a routine basis, and less likely to require restorative or emergency visits. In contrast, children seen for the first time at age 2 or 3 have an increased need for preventive, restorative and emergency visits over their lifetime.

What should I anticipate on my child’s first visit?
First, there is the child’s RISK ASSESSMENT. Preventive dentistry begins with an assessment of factors established through the medical, social and dental histories. These factors can include both the patient and parent’s dental history or the patient’s eating and feeding habits.

Next, the dentist will provide an ORAL EXAMINATION.  This clinical examination will take place with the patient lying back, giving the dentist the best view of hard and soft tissues, quality of the enamel, and symmetry of how teething are erupting.  It is normal behavior for a child to be anxious during this first examination.

Lastly, ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE is when the dentist will provide you with the proper direction on caring for baby teeth at home. This will include information like protective factors such as fluoride to prevent oral health problems, oral hygiene and dietary counseling, oral habits, or even trauma prevention.