ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MITots' teeth need care- the sooner, the better

(02/21/12) - The America Dental Association is concerned that parents may not be starting dental visits early enough to ensure healthy mouths. How early? According to the ADA, kids should have their first dental visit around their first birthday.

Donny is three and a half, and having his first dental visit. His mother, Gloria Dziuk, tells me, "I wanted him to start at a young age, learning how important it is to take care of your teeth. He brushes his teeth at home and he loves it, but I wanted him to start coming in so he could get a feel for being in the office and getting his teeth examined."

All great reasons, but not the only reason the American Dental Association recommends kids start seeing a dentist by their first birthdays.

Donny's dentist, Dr. Darcianne Miller, at Great Expressions in Grand Blanc, says, "it's really to start educating the parent primarily, especially new parents on how to successfully care of their children's teeth. And also to warn about the dangers of baby bottles at night or sippy cups during the day that have either juice or milk, instead of water."

Yep! Dr. Miller says juice and milk can actually do a number on a tot's teeth. "One of the biggest concerns isn't as much the amount of sugar that kids are getting, but really the frequency that sugars and starches are touching the teeth. A kid that doesn't eat a lot of candy, but sips on milk all day is going to have a lot of cavities."

Milk can have as much as 11 grams of sugar per serving- that is a lot! So, brushing is important. Donny's mom makes it fun. "We just sing songs, we brush 'em along in the bath tub."

Donny is good for the exam today. When kids are this young, Dr. Miller says, it is usually a simple exam. They do not start with X-rays until age 5. "Really, to count the teeth and make sure they have all of the baby teeth that they are supposed to have. And also, even a fairly quick visual exam to show if they have a lot of decay. There is a lot of spacing between kids' teeth,  so to look at them is a good way to tell whether or not they have a lot of cavities going."

That doesn't mean that kids shouldn't have milk. It is still important for nutrients, but alternate milk with water. Brushing is mandatory, especially at night. Brushing teeth twice a day is recommended. Kids need help with brushing until age 7, when their manual dexterity is up to the task.