Parents have a lot on their plates when it comes to taking care of their children, from making sure they are fed to wearing clean clothes to assuring they completed their homework.
But, as parents, most of us would argue that above all else is the health and well being of our children. And, within that category lives the subtopic of oral health. The first question many parents have is, “When should I take my child to the dentist?”
That answer is not always cut and dry because every child is different when it comes to the timing of dental development. Although we like to stick with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that all kids should visit a dentist between six and 12 months of age. That assures that a dentist can educate families, discover any potential problems with a child’s mouth, and demonstrate how to properly clean their child’s mouth and intercept known habits like thumb sucking. Our doctors and staff have lived by the motto “special care from the beginning” for these reasons since 1968.
Some parents may think that it’s pointless to bring their child to the dentist when the baby’s teeth will fall out anyway, but the fact is that primary teeth (or the first set) are extremely important for learning speech and chewing food. Also, diseased or broken primary teeth could result in other major problems down the road, including the creation of orthodontic problems, pain, and infections that can spread throughout the mouth or even, in severe instances, throughout the body.
Dental care is customized to the patient but one thing that is universal is to be seen at least every 6 months for a hygiene visit as a preventative measure. It is usually enough time to require a thorough cleaning but not so long that any developing problem becomes a major problem. Of course, everyone is different and each person’s personal habits impact dental health. If warranted, our pediatric dentists may recommend hygiene visits more frequently if every 6 months seems to long for proper prevention.
Some tips for making dental visits simple and successful can include taking a nervous child in the morning to help keep them fresh and more receptive to the care. A first visit may include X-rays (for older children) that recognize facial bone structure and tooth development. X-rays may be very educational to see and help our dentists provide tips that a parent can follow to assure exceptional results at their subsequent dental visits.
Parents should try to play a role in making dental visits enjoyable for their kids. Ways parents can help is to encourage children to be in the room alone so they learn to separate from parents properly and develop independence. Parents should also set a good example by visiting the dentist, speaking positively about it, and demonstrating good oral hygiene habits at home. Of course, it sounds obvious, but parents should not use a dental visit as a punishment, bribe a child into going, or encourage children to feel anxiety about getting care.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our 
facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
