Is a dental visit even required if there is no pain/cause to do so? This is the first question in every reader’s mind on seeing the header to this article. So let us give you some statistics.
Dental caries is the most prevalent disease of childhood, occurring four times more frequently than asthma. It is estimated that over 34 million school hours are lost each year due to dental problems, and children with poor oral health are at the greatest risk for absence from school.
So why not start early? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommend that all children have their initial dental visit during the first year of life; however, some still challenge the clinical, theoretical and scientific rationale for an early dental visit.
What to expect in the first dental visit ?
Early dental visits for infants and their families offer an opportunity to educate and inform parents about their children’s oral health. Providers counsel caregivers in a broad range of topics including:
- Infant oral hygiene,
- Home and office-based fluoride therapies,
- Dietary practices
- Dental injury prevention tailored to each child’s age and stage of development.
Dental exams in infancy identify disease early and maximize the use of conservative, nonsurgical caries management techniques. Conservative therapies can delay or prevent any need for surgical intervention.
So why wait, book an appointment with your paediatric dentist today!
