Whattoexpectatthefirstvisit…

Usually in the first visit, the dentalteam (hygienist and dentist)will lookinside your child’s mouth, count teeth that are present and assess anyproblems. They will discuss diet aswell as show you how to properlycleanyourchild’steeth.

Depending on the age of your childhe/shemaybeabletositinthedentalchair alone. However, for very youngchildren,itisjustaseasytohavethemsit or lay back in their parent’s lap.That way, they feel comfortable withyounearby!

Depending on cooperation, your childmayalsohavehis/herteethcleaned.Ifthis doesn’t happen, don’tworry -weunderstand that attention spans areshortatayoungage!However,besureto ask any questions you have as acaregiver. This is your appointmenttoo!

Settingfamiliesupforsuccess…

Byseeingyourbabywithin6monthsoftheeruptionofthefirsttooth,orbyage1we are able to help you establish oralhealth routines and habits that set thestage for a lifetime of positiveexperiences. We can also answerquestionsthatyoumayhaveaboutyourbaby’steeth,diet,andhabits.

If the first time your child visits thedentist iswhen there isaproblem, theyhave no prior experience with us, andthat can be a little overwhelming foreveryone! By establishing a “dentalhome” early on, your child will see thedentalofficeasapositive,caring,andfunplacetovisit.

1-189DykelandSt,Wolfville,NovaScotia

902-542-3386•wolfvilledentists.ca

Ouroffice,theCanadianDentalAssociation,

andtheNovaScotiaDentalAssociation,recommendafirstvisitwithin6monthsofthe

eruptionofthefirsttooth,orbyage1.

FirstVisit,FirstTooth

..someanswerstocommonquestionsaboutyourbaby’s

oralhealth.

Mychilddoesn’teatjunkfood.Cantheystillgetcavities?

The sucking reflex is a natural onefor babies. There is no evidencethat a sucking habit in babies ortoddlerswill causeproblems in theteeth later on. However, the habitshould be stopped before thepermanent, adult teeth start tocomein(usuallyaroundage5or6).After this point, such a habit canaffecthowtheteethandjawgrow.

Never dip a soother in honey orsugar as this can cause cavities.Also babies shouldnot take bottlesto bed with anything other thanwater in them as this greatlyincreasestheriskoftoothdecay.

HowshouldIbecleaningmybaby’smouthandteeth?Itisimportanttostartcleaningyourbaby’smouth,evenbeforetheteetherupt.Thisallowsyourchildtogetusedtotheroutineaswellaskeepsthegumshealthy.Nothingfancyisneededtocleanyourbaby’smouth;justadampfaceclothwrappedaroundyour fingerwilldothetrick! Wipegentlyaroundthegumstwiceaday. Youdonotneedtousetoothpaste.

Oncetheteethbegintoerupt,youcanbegintouseasmall,SOFTbristledtoothbrushwithwarmwatertogentlycleantheteethandgums.Forchildrenunder3,yourdentistcandetermineifyourchildneedstousetoothpastewithfluoride.Also,untilage10,youneedtobetheoneofficiallycleaningtheirteeth!Yourchildcanbebrushingbuttheyneedyoutoinsurethattheyarereachingalltheteeth.Nomatterhowindependenttheyare,theystillneedyourhelptodoagoodjob!

Even the healthiest, cleanest mouths havebacteria.Thisbacteriausesthesugarsfromour diets and in turn, creates acid in ourmouths. It is this acid that starts thebreakdownoftheteeth,toformtoothdecay(cavities).

Even fruits and vegetables have naturalsugars that the bacteria can use to createacid. Also, fruit juices (which are high insugar) and acidic foods (citrus, pickledfoods)canincreaseriskoftoothdecay.

Sticky, sugary foods such as dried fruits,fruit leather, gummies etc. are problematicbecausetheycangetstuckinthegroovesoftheteethandaredifficulttocleanout.Thiscausesthegroovesofteethtobeacommonstartingpointforcavities.Asyourchildgetsolder, your dentistmay recommend having“sealants” put in the grooves to preventdecayfromstartingthere.

Aresoothersorthumb-suckinga

problem? Thebabyteetharegoingtofallout.WhyshouldIworryabout

them?Some of your child’s “baby” teethwillbeintheirmouthsuntiltheyare12! These teeth play an importantrole in holding the space that theadult teeth will need when theyerupt. If a baby tooth gets decay itcan be painful for your child,affecting their eating, sleeping, andconcentration at school. If babyteeth have to be removed, that canmean that the incoming adult teethmay not have the room they need,causingproblemsinthefuture.