First tooth equals first dental visit

By Dr. Bryan Waxman

Traditionally, the age that most children go to the dentist for their first visit is at three years old or unfortunately, when a child feels pain. This trend is commonly accepted by most family doctors and paediatricians; however, this thinking has shifted significantly in the last decade in the dental profession.

Dental schools, including mine at the University of Toronto, now teach that the first dental visit for a child should be when their first tooth erupts or at one year of age, whichever comes first.

Children have all of their primary, or baby teeth in their mouth by the age of two-and-a-half. So if children are seen at three years of age, there is already a significant chance that they have cavities. Additionally, the parent has not been taught about caring for baby teeth by a dentist or hygienist if the first visit is delayed until into the toddler years.

Unfortunately, there has been a significant rise in cavities in pre-school children even with fluoride in our drinking water. Dental caries is a disease process and all too often leads to early extraction of teeth which can impact speech, aesthetics, and function, as well as negatively affecting the development of permanent teeth.

Considering the impact on future dental health, it is imperative that a shift in thinking for new parents has to occur concerning when a child should first visit the dentist.

Benefits of an early visit under one year of age include:

• Comfort with the dental office and dental staff at an early age

• Oral hygiene instruction and dietary consultation for parents on what foods cause decay, how decay develops, and how to properly clean gum pads and teeth as they appear in the mouth

• Detection of early childhood cavities or early pathology in the jaws or gums by the dentist

An early visit to the dentist educates parents, and decreases the amount of decay in pre-school children. Additionally, children will enjoy going to the dentist when their first visit is playful, fun and interactive, rather than getting a needle.

Dr. Bryan Waxman is a dentist in Scarborough (www.gotosleepdentistrytoronto.com).