Your First Appointment: What to expect
Your child’s first visit to the dentist is a special moment. It’s similar to when they get their fist haircut, or go off to preschool/daycare for the first time. It’s something we all anticipate with mixed emotions, crossing our fingers for the best!
The intent of this post is to set realistic goals and expectations, because at Mt Tam Pediatric Dentistry, that’s what we are all about. We want to equip you with ideas and tools to increase the chances of a positive first experience. As well as lay out what you and your child can expect from the visit. Because no matter the age, we all benefit from healthy preparation.
Your baby’s fist visit to the dentist should occur as close to age one as possible. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child visits the dentist once their first tooth comes in, and no later than age one. And while there are exceptions for babies born with teeth or craniofacial abnormalities, generally speaking, if your child sees a dentist by their first birthday it helps with establishing good habits, early on. Starting with good habits is much easier than breaking bad ones later.
Dental caries (or cavities) is not only a transmissible bacterial infection, it’s also a chronic biobehavioral disease, which simply means a cavity’s progression is largely based on behaviors and habits. The good news is that a shift in either of these can make a BIG difference in children’s oral health! The goal of your first visit is for our dental team to get to know you and your kids. We’d like to compliment your family on the things you are doing well, and provide you with the information and tools you need for continued success. Maintaining optimum oral health is complex, and we are here to guide and support you.
Here’s what you can expect during your first visit:
A Dental Home
Early visits to the dentist are important for a number of reasons. For starters, it allows you to establish a “dental home” which will be a resource for you to go to with any questions and concerns. Can you imagine if your first interaction with the pediatrician was over the phone, after hours, when your baby suddenly spiked their first worrisome fever? I would feel very uneasy in this situation. Thankfully, most of us have established a relationship with our pediatrician and their staff far before any concerning situations arise. A dental home provides a trusting place for your family to turn to for non-urgent advice or when the unexpected occurs. Establishing a dental home early also introduces your child to their dental team, allowing us to begin developing a relationship from the get go. This gives us the best chance to become a positive influence and source of motivation for your child as they grow. We will also be able to discuss topics such as birth history and family dental history and review their relevance to your child’s future oral health.
Avoiding a Hygiene Hiatus
What is your family’s brushing and flossing routine? Do your kids ever take a Hygiene Hiatus? What type and how much toothpaste are you using? Are your kids getting the optimal amount of fluoride for their age and environment? When should you start flossing, and what’s the best way to introduce this habit? We will share our tips and tricks for establishing a realistic routine and make sure it’s one that fits your family dynamics and preferences.
The Diet Dive
What are your family’s favorite snacks? What’s for lunch? Out of ideas? We can help. At Mt Tam Pediatric Dentistry we are big on diet! Did you know diet is responsible for 95% of dental caries (or cavities)!* This is significant. So, you should absolutely continue to brush twice a day, and floss daily, but if your child’s diet is not in check, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle. We will review how your child’s diet affects their oral health, as well as how some “fan favorite” snacks (like granola bars, dried fruits, crackers, and gummy vitamins) may be putting your child’s oral health at risk. We will teach you how to interpret nutrition labels not only for their nutritional value but for their “tooth friendliness” as well.
Some Habits are Meant to be Broken
While an oral habit like pacifiers or sucking a thumb can be a life saver in the early days, both literally and figuratively (did you know the use of pacifiers reduces the risk of SIDS in infants up to 6mo old?), there is a time and a place for these habits. We’ll discuss when they’re okay and when and how to best move on from these habits. As your child grows, we will also discuss whether or not an orthodontic evaluation is appropriate, and if so, when to go.
Don’t Trip - We’ve Got Trauma Covered
Being prepared for trauma is tricky, because an accident is an accident. Can you really be prepared? Our answer is yes, because any preparation is better than none. We can help you figure out the fine balance between letting your child play and explore freely, and keeping them safe. We’ll help you scope out questionable situations, and prepare you in case trauma strikes.
Sleep and Behavioral Evaluation
Your dental team will also explore any behavioral and/or sleeping problems your family may be facing (for example: restlessness, snoring, over-tired, attention issues). Believe it or not, an oral evaluation can often reveal airway complications that manifest as sleep and behavioral problems. And sometimes addressing your child’s airway deficiencies can provide the reassurance you’ve been searching for (or at the very least rule this out).
In your first visit we can cover a LOT! But don't worry, this visit is all about you and we will follow your lead. We will focus on the things that matter most to you, and are happy to provide resources in case you want to dig deeper or reference anything later. I hope this blog post has been helpful in introducing you to the Tam way of doing dentistry. I hope you're excited to visit; we'd love to meet you. Come and share what makes you smile!
~Dr. Stephanie
Sources and references:
*Anamelechi, J 2021, ‘Real Dentistry for Real Dentists. Dentistry Is Kids’ Stuff’. Dentaltown. March/P.41-45