First dental visit

When should a child have their first dental visit?  A child's first dental visit should be scheduled as soon as their teeth start to erupt in their mouths which is usually before the age of one. At our office, the first dental visit for a baby is about health and prevention.  It is important to inform parents about healthy diets, reviewing that the baby should not be put to sleep with a bottle.  Baby formula and breast milk contain natrual sugars that can linger in the babies mouth when they are sleeping and lead to "baby bottle" cavities.  It is important to clean the new teeth after eating.  This should be done with a clean wet wash cloth or gauze.  If a toothbrush is used be sure it is an "infant" toothbrush that the adult uses it to brush the babies teeth.  The baby should not be unatteneded even with a "baby" toothbrush.  Do not use toothpaste at this point.  Toothpaste with fluoride is a great addition to home care but toothpaste with fluoride should not be used until the child is old enough to not swallow the toothpaste.  Children typically do not have the dexterity to brush their own teeth until the age of 6.  It is important for the parent to floss their child's teeth in areas where the teeth are touching each other.  Every visit to the dental office is about prevention and health and it is great to start early with healthy habits and positive dental experiences.  We work with all of our patients to achieve and maintain complete dental health for a lifetime!