Infants and preschoolers
By the time your child is 6 months old, your doctor should assess the
likelihood of your child having future dental problems.1 This may include a dental exam of the mother and her dental
history, because the condition of her teeth can often predict possible problems
with her child's teeth. If the doctor thinks your child will have dental
problems, be sure your child sees a dentist by his or her first birthday or 6
months after the first
primary teeth appear 
, whichever comes first. After your first visit, schedule
regular visits every 6 months or as your dentist recommends.
Experts recommend that your child's dental care start at 12 months of
age.1 Babies with dental problems caused by injury,
disease, or a developmental problem should be seen by a children's (pediatric)
dentist right away. If these dental problems are not limited to the surfaces of
the teeth, your baby should also be seen by a children's doctor (pediatrician) or your family doctor.
The
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
recommends that doctors prescribe
fluoride to preschool children older than 6 months of
age whose primary water source lacks enough fluoride.2
For more information, see the topics Basic Dental Care, Mouth and
Dental Injuries, and Mouth Problems, Noninjury.
Adults, teens, and school-age children
See your dentist once or twice a year. Your dentist will examine your
teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay,
gum disease, and other health problems.
- Your
dental hygienist will begin to clean your teeth by
scraping hard mineral buildup (tartar) off your teeth with a small metal tool.
Then the hygienist will floss your teeth, use a polishing compound, and apply
fluoride. Cleanings usually aren't painful.
- Occasionally your dentist will want to take
X-rays. The X-rays take only a few minutes.
- Your dentist or technician will have you put
on a heavy apron to shield your body from X-rays. Everyone else in the room
will either wear a protective apron or step behind a protective
shield.
- Your dentist or technician will have you bite down on a
small piece of plastic. This will help align your teeth properly for the
machine. Your dentist or technician will repeat this process several times to
get pictures of all your teeth.
- If necessary, your dentist will put a
sealant on the chewing surface of your back teeth to
help prevent cavities. Sealants keep food and bacteria from getting stuck in
the rough chewing surfaces or grooves of your teeth, and they protect your
teeth from
plaque.
- Your dentist or hygienist may
apply a fluoride solution directly to your teeth to help prevent tooth decay.
Your dentist may recommend a series of fluoride applications.
- If
you are prone to infections, you may need to take antibiotics before you have
any dental work. This includes those who:
- Have heart valve problems, which put you at
risk for
endocarditis.
- Have an
impaired immune system.
- Had recent major
surgeries or have man-made body parts, such as an artificial hip or heart
valve.
- Your dentist or hygienist may ask you about the foods you eat. What
you eat and whether you get enough vitamins and minerals can affect your dental
health.
- If you have active tooth decay or gum disease, your dentist will
talk to you about changing your brushing or flossing habits. In severe cases,
he or she may recommend antibiotics or other dental treatments. If your teeth
and gums appear to be healthy, your dentist will probably recommend that you
continue your usual brushing and flossing routine.
After reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services
Task Force (USPSTF) has not recommended for or against routine screening of
adults for
oral cancer.3
For more information, see the topics Basic Dental Care, Tooth Decay,
and Oral Cancer.
Citations
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2004). Clinical guidelines on infant oral health care. Available online: http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/G_InfantOralHealthCare.pdf.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2004). Prevention of dental caries in preschool children. Available online: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsdnch.htm.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2004). Screening for oral cancer. Available online: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsoral.htm.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2004). Clinical guidelines on infant oral health care. Available online: http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/G_InfantOralHealthCare.pdf.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2004). Prevention of dental caries in preschool children. Available online: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsdnch.htm.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2004). Screening for oral cancer. Available online: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsoral.htm.
