Baby’s first tooth? Call the dentist
Baby’s first birthday is cause for celebration, presents and a family party. It’s also time to schedule a very important first dental visit.
“First tooth or first visit by the first birthday is the rule of thumb for parents wondering when to plan their child’s initial dental visit,” says Dr. Victoria Ursitti, an Arlington Heights-based board-certified pediatric dentist and owner of All About Kids Dentistry. “The earlier you begin, the better chance your child has to prevent problems.”
Her advice is on target according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which recommends establishing a dental home for your young child early.
Ursitti, who has been helping tiny tots and their parents understand the importance of good oral hygiene for 15 years, says primary teeth actually begin development in utero, with first teeth typically appearing between 6 months and 1 year of age.
“Strong, healthy primary teeth help your child chew foods easily, learn to speak clearly and look good,” explains Ursitti, who says general health can be impacted due to decay or if oral structures of the mouth, gums, tongue and palate don’t develop normally.
Common challenges
Every child deserves a healthy start in life, but when it comes to oral health, many children face significant challenges. According to the AAPD, 40–50 percent of children will be affected by tooth decay before age 5. Of the 4 million children born each year, more than half will have cavities by the time they reach second grade.
Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or a cavity, is a disease where bacterial processes damage hard tooth structures like the enamel and dentin. The four things necessary for cavities to form include a tooth, bacteria, sugars or other carbohydrates and time.
Vertical transmission is the sharing of disease and cavity-causing bacteria between moms and babies. Caries-associated oral streptococci bacteria can be transmitted when tiny drops of saliva are shared on bottles, pacifiers, utensils and toys. Incidence can be lessened, according to Ursitti, when new moms who chew gum opt for a brand containing Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol used as a sweetener, which has been shown to reduce tooth decay rates and even reverse some dental caries by reducing the amount of bacteria in the mouth.
Structural anomalies of the tongue, gums and palate need to be identified early to prevent a multitude of ongoing challenges. For example, in babies who have ankyloglossia, or are “tongue tied,” the ability to feed is diminished, causing problems such as low weight gain and constant fussiness. Tongue tie a congential oral anomaly which may decrease mobility of the tongue tip.
Because thumb sucking and pacifiers also can play a role in the development of these structural anomalies, early education and prevention strategies are vital.
What happens at the first visit?
In addition to a thorough oral exam by gently checking teeth and gums for decay or other problems, Ursitti cautions parents to expect their child’s initial dental visit to also include questions about their own medical and dental health history.
“Answers to those questions are especially important as we assess the potential for future dental challenges with development, enamel and more,” Ursitti says. “It’s not unusually for children to follow in their parent’s footsteps when it comes to oral health.”
Your child’s dentist may also clean, polish, apply topical fluoride, provide oral hygiene instructions and if needed, take X-rays to check for normal development and hidden decay. They will perform a caries risk assessment, provide information about early childhood caries—which can be due to inappropriate nursing habits or inappropriate use of sippy cups — offer the latest facts about finger, thumb and pacifier habits, provide information about preventing injuries to the mouth and teeth and guidance on growth and development.
“Counseling is a big part of the first visit,” says Ursitti, who also stresses the importance of a healthy diet. “Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step on the road to teaching your child healthy lifetime habits.”