Stephen Mitchell, DMD, professor of pediatric dentistryThe first year of a child’s life can include many scheduled trips to the doctor’s office, but most parents do not know that their calendar of visits should include a trip to the dentist’s office.
University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Stephen Mitchell, DMD, professor of pediatric dentistry in the School of Dentistry, answers questions about when to book a child’s first appointment and how to prepare for it.
Q: At what age should a child’s first dentist appointment be?
Mitchell: Officially, by the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth’s coming in. The first appointment is more about the parent than the child. We want to discuss the best ways for a parent to keep their child’s teeth healthy.
Q: Should a child see a pediatric dentist or a family dentist?
Mitchell: A pediatric dentist can be very helpful for the child with health issues or the child who has a more nervous nature. Pediatric dentists have special training in managing dental fear and anxiety, as well as extensive experience with various medical conditions. Finally, pediatric dentists are trained to monitor the growth and development of a child’s mouth.
Q: What are some things parents can do at home to help prepare their littles ones for their first time in the dental chair?
Mitchell: Ideally, a child should be seen at 12 months of age before any at home preparation is needed. Kids can pick up on their parent’s emotions, so I recommend to not act like going to the dentist is a “big deal.” When we spend a lot of time preparing, we could inadvertently make the child nervous about why the visit needs all this preparation. Most importantly, the parents need to manage their own anxiety about the visit.
Q: What should parents look for in a pediatric dentist?
Mitchell: Children know who is comfortable with them and who is not. Practices that are very busy and rushed may not be a good fit for a nervous or timid child. Find a practice with a personality the child connects with.
Q: Should children be off their pacy or stop thumb-sucking before going to the dentist?
Mitchell: Thumb- or pacy-sucking is normal behavior for a 1-year-old; in fact, most children will stop sucking their thumb on their own by age 3. Establish a good relationship with a dentist before then so that they may guide on timing to stop the habit if the child does not stop on their own.
Q: Are manual or electronic toothbrushes better for little ones?
Mitchell: Use the toothbrush the child likes. However, avoid the electric toothbrushes with large, round heads. They are too big to get into all the areas of the teeth. The ultrasonic toothbrushes with smaller, tapered heads are easier to get into all the tight places in a child’s mouth. But a manual toothbrush can do just as well cleaning the teeth.