Welcoming 1-Year-Olds to the Dental Department

By Dr. Eve Van Harpen, D.O., FCP Health & Wellness Center

At the FCP Health & Wellness Center Dental Department, we are looking to start off oral health on the right foot – and early!

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry have adopted policies stating that a child’s first visit to the dentist:

• Should occur within six months of the eruption of their first tooth and,

• No later than age 1.

Early childhood dental exams have been shown to decrease dental problems that occur throughout childhood, adolescence and into adulthood.

The first dental exam is meant to be fun and introduce dentistry in a non-scary way. The dental team at the Health & Wellness Center wants to address any potential problems early but loves to see parents and kids leave smiling.

A typical infant exam starts with a knee-to-knee exam. Here, the dentist will look for plaque, swelling and cavities. If baby is cooperative, the dentist may do a quick cleaning. This is a great time to talk about nutrition, bottle and pacifier use and brushing habits. The dentist may also ask about sibling’s or parent’s oral health.

If everything at the exam looks good, the doctor may decide to see your child every 3-6 months. If any cavities or problems are diagnosed, a decision will be made to either treat your child at the Health & Wellness Center, or to refer them to a pedodontist. A pedodontist is a general dentist who has had 2-3 more years of schooling and specializes in treating children.

It is important to know that baby teeth matter for proper facial development, nourishment, speech and self-esteem. Pain from cavities or dental infections can cause pain that may not be easily identified. A quick, painless infant exam may rule out any problems.

We look forward to seeing many new, young faces here at the dental department.  We have four full-time dentists, two hygienists, and a great staff to help or answer any questions you might have.

Call today to set up your early infant exam at (715) 478-4313.