When to bring the baby?

Dr. Gary contributed this article to the 2nd edition of the Oakleaf Village Journal:

“When should I bring my child to the dentist?”

This is one of the most common questions a new mother will have once her baby starts teething. And the answers she receives will depend on whom she asks. Pediatricians often say 3-5 years of age, as do many general dentists. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and most pediatric dental specialists will recommend a child be seen before the 1st birthday. Grandpa, who has had dentures for 30 years will say “I didn’t go to the dentist until I was 12, and I turned out just fine. They are just baby teeth, they’ll fall out. Did I mention I walked 6 miles to school?” So what is best? Who to believe? Probably not Grandpa on this one.

I would like to make a case for the infant exam, as I firmly believe it gives parents the tools they need to keep their child in excellent dental health. But all infant dental exams are not created equal. Read on and learn what to ask for with an infant exam.

Ask the office what age they like to first see children. While this may seem intuitive, many offices will perform an infant exam if you ask for it but still prefer to see older children. You really want an office that is passionate about seeing infants.

Ask how long the exam will take. Let’s face it, there are only between 2 to 8 teeth in a one-year-old. It can’t take all that long if all they are going to do is look at the teeth. The value and focus of an infant exam is more about the parents and less about the child. It should be at least 15 minutes of actual communication as there are a lot of topics that should be covered.

Ask about cost. The infant exam is a value at the cost of a basic exam. This will generally be under 100 dollars. If it is more, ask what is being done. Dental X-rays and cleanings are rarely necessary for an infant. Depending on the eruption pattern of the teeth and the risk for future decay, a fluoride varnish application may be performed.

Ask what will happen during the exam, and what topics will be covered. The primary focus of an infant exam is not to examine the infant. It is coaching mom and dad how to care for the infant. Some topics to look for include helpful ideas for teething; important diet patterns to establish like not going to bed with a bottle of juice or milk; how to properly use a sippy cup and when to transition to a regular cup; infant brushing tips and hints; how to breastfeed without putting the teeth at risk; when and how to use fluoride; and most importantly, how to prevent the bacterial infection that causes cavities in the first place.

Ask what will happen if the child has a dental emergency after hours. One of the most important things an infant exam will give you is peace of mind to know that if your baby should fall into that coffee table while learning to walk, you have someone to call right away for help. You won’t waste time thumbing through the phone book (or village journal) to find a dentist who will see your child. And you won’t waste time and money at the ER for a dental problem the ER is not equipped to solve.

As you hopefully see, the infant dental exam is a valuable tool for creating healthy and beautiful smiles. Parents are given the information they need to care for their child before trouble starts. Did you know the #1 predictor of future cavities is how early and how many baby teeth had cavities? So it makes sense to get the right information early and not wait for a problem to see the dentist. Good luck, and start that search today!