As a general dentist, I am often asked by new parents, or parents of toddlers, when their baby should have their first dental visit. No one expects “6 months” to be the answer. Here is an excerpt from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website regarding the first visit: “The AAPD recommends that the child be seen by a pediatric or general dentist at the time the first tooth comes into the mouth, and no later than the child’s first birthday,” AAPD national spokesperson Dr. Indru Punwani said. Our office offers two dentists, myself and Dr. Erika Smart, both trained at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, both trained in the oral examination of infants. The first teeth typically erupt around age 6months, although this is a rule of thumb. Some baby teeth erupt (break through the gums) earlier or later. The first eruption sets the schedule for losing baby teeth and eruption of permanant teeth. At the first examination of an infant, the dentist and the parent sit facing each other, “knee-to-knee” with the parent holding the child facing them and the baby’s legs around the parent’s waist. The parent then supports the baby’s back and leans them backward toward the dentist until the baby is laying on their back looking up at the dentist. In this position, the dentist can get a good luck at the baby’s mouth and yes, the baby usually does cry. This helps the dentist get a look, which doesn’t take long. Constant contact between parent and baby is a comfort to both parent and baby. After the quick exam, the baby can sit up again and is rewarded with a new toothbrush. During the visit, the dentist educates the parent about oral bacteria, how cavities are caused, healthy versus cavity-causing snacking, oral hygeine, teething, thumb-sucking, etc. One piece of advice that surprises many parents is that many common snacks are cariogenic (cavity-causing). Examples: dry cereal, fish crackers. Any grain product is a simple carbohydrate that is broken down into glucose in our mouths feeds our oral bacteria. The bacteria eat the glucose, metabolize it, store it, excrete their sticky, acidic waste product called plaque. The acidic plaque sticks to teeth and essentially eats holes through the enamel (hard outer layer) over time. Today, parents want so much to protect their children from everything. I see it all the time. They are happy to have this conversation with the dentist, avoid cariogenic snacks, and introduce their babies to the dentist in a comfortable way. In our office, children are not forced to do anything that they are afraid of, parents are always welcome in the treatment area, and children are encouraged to smell and touch everything. It takes very few visits for the little ones to feel comfortable sitting in the big chair, wearing the sunglasses, and getting their teeth counted. Mom and Dad are happy, Baby is happy, Dentist is happy.

Smiles,

Dr. Cook

Dentistry is changing and I am hopeful that it is changing for the better. Before Tweets, blogs, and virtual likes, before “friend” was a verb, dentists often worked alone and went home to their familes where they maintained some anonymity. They also promoted their businesses mostly with phone book listings or other ads in print. Remember Steve Martin in “The Jerk” rejoicing when he finally saw his name in print?

Change can be overwhelming, uncomfortable, and awkward. But the internet connects the typical sole proprieter dentist to his or her peers, profession, and patients in a way that should give relief and support. It’s a relief to be able to research medical conditions, side effects, drug interactions and the latest research on anything. With instant access to our peers and professional organizations, the lone wolf dentist has a world-wide pack of support.

Dentists can now engage and share in a more personal manner. In dentistry, a personal connection can go a long way in breaking down a patient’s old anxieties. Dentists must consider that careful balance between presenting the professional appearance and letting their guard down in exposing their personal lives. “Every third Facebook post should be of a personal nature,” I was once advised. In a light-hearted moment, I recently posted a picture of myself wearing a set of BillyBob teeth, which I thought was hilarious. I did make some personal connections and I believe that by showing the non-dentist side of me, that I am, in a small way, promoting the newer, gentler approach of dentistry.

Developing an online presence is overwhelming, but I am excited about building connections and growing my practice. Writing this early blog entry was a bit uncomfortable. It sounds a little awkward, but the blog, like my practice, is a work in progress.

Smiles,

Dr. Cook