Got a question? Our expert is here to help.
My one-year-old has only a few teeth. Why should I take her to the dentist?
Dental decay can occur as soon as she has her first tooth. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that every child should see a dentist by 12 months of age.
This proactive approach allows her to assess your kid’s tooth cleanliness and spot signs of cavities. During this visit, the dentist will also ask you about her current oral care practices (for instance, the frequency and technique of tooth brushing, type of toothpaste) and dietary habits (choice of snacks, frequency of meals).
She can then recommend how you can continue to keep the baby teeth healthy. If early decay is already present, she can give advice on how to slow down and/or halt the process, so your child can avoid fillings and other such treatments.
How do I find a dentist who’s good at handling babies?
These two websites list paediatric dentists in Singapore:
∞ Singapore Dental Council (www.tinyurl.com/PaediatricDentist)
∞ Society for Paediatric Dentistry Singapore (www.paediatricdentistry.org.sg).
Paediatric dentists on the specialist register in Singapore would have completed a formal three-year training stint after dental school and are deemed to be proficient in all areas of dentistry for children up to 18 years of age. While some general dentists are comfortable with seeing kids, others are less so.
This is because they need to manage children’s temperament and behaviour, so they can provide a pleasant dental experience. In addition, the dentist should be familiar with the appropriate treatments for baby and immature permanent teeth.
ASK THE EXPERT
These questions were answered by Dr Catherine Hong, a senior consultant from the orthodontics and paediatrics dentistry department at National University Hospital. Got a question? E-mail us at magyoungparents@sph.com.sg.
