The aim of this post is to demystify a child's first dental consultation, clarifying the ideal period for it, how it is carried out and why.
The first visit to the paediatric dentist should take place before the child completes the first year of life, around the eruption of the first tooth.
Why?
Enable the family to establish hygiene habits and behaviours that promote oral health. When habits are properly acquired they tend to be maintained. The first visit is important to start monitoring the establishment of the baby's oral functions and craniofacial development. It also provides the child's familiarity with the paediatric dentist's practice.
Guidelines
The basic guidelines concern caries disease, oral hygiene, transitional feeding, sucking habits and tooth eruption. One of the major focuses in the first consultation is the prevention of dental caries, one of the most frequent diseases.
The caries can progress rapidly in young children causing pain, infection, impairment of nutrition and quality of life. They can often lead to the need for endodontic treatment (root canal treatment) and even tooth extractions. Initially, the caries lesion presents as a demineralised area on the tooth, resulting in a white spot. With early diagnosis, there is a chance to halt the progression of the disease and avoid such an acute picture. The early introduction of sugar in the diet is one of the causal factors of early childhood caries. Guidance on the introduction of sugar in the child's diet should be enhanced to minimise the risk of early childhood caries, as well as the importance of oral hygiene habits, which should start with the use of a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Other important factors in the growth and development of the child's face are the chewing and nasal breathing.
Adequate development of complementary feeding supports the development of masticatory function. Ideally, any changes in occlusion, chewing and breathing should be diagnosed early, as some changes in dental occlusion can be corrected at an early age to allow for balanced chewing and harmonious growth of the face.
Consultation with a paediatric dentist before the first year of life favours the implementation of preventive practices that promote oral health. Don't forget that oral health is directly associated with a child's general health and quality of life.
