The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends children have their first dental visit by 12 months of age or when the first tooth erupts.   This first visit establishes a ‘dental home’ and provides an opportunity to discuss prevention of cavities and to prepare parents for what to expect in terms of dental development.   Following this recommendation, Dr. Chisholm’s daughter, Katie, had her first dental visit this week!    Katie is 9 months old and already has 5 teeth!

Here’s what to expect at an infant’s first dental visit…

First, we’ll review your child’s medical and dental history and find out any concerns you may have. We’ll ask you about your dental history as well because cavities are caused by a bacteria which can be passed from parent to child. We’ll take time show you how to brush your baby’s teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste and how to floss if your baby’s teeth are touching.   We’ll give you tips to help get through teething and discuss what to expect as teeth erupt.  We’ll discuss how your child’s diet can influence the risk of tooth decay, how to prevent dental injuries and how habits, such as pacifiers and thumb sucking can affect your baby’s bite. We often apply topical fluoride varnish at this visit to strengthen your baby’s teeth and help prevent cavities.  On occasion, if needed, we might recommend an x ray or a dental cleaning to remove tarter or stain. 

As you can see an infant’s first dental is a great start to reaching our goal…having your child grow up cavity free for life!  Enjoy these photos of Katie’s first visit!