As our baby’s first few teeth erupt, many parents dismiss these as milk teeth and are less careful about taking care. Yet the reality is that it is these teeth that will be the cornerstone of healthy adult teeth. Here are some tips to help.

Your child’s first dental visit should be scheduled no later than his/her first birthday. By maintaining regular biannual visits, dental treatments will be kept to a minimum.

It is important to schedule your child’s first appointment before any acute dental problems develop. The first visit should be a fun time used for introducing the dentist and other staff as new friends in order to create a positive memory for the child.

Parents can help by providing positive reinforcement, and reward good behavior with presents/prizes which will make it an overall more pleasant experience.

Fissure sealants are a preventive treatment that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. It acts as a barrier, protecting the enamel from plaque and acids which cause decay.

Another preventive treatment is fluoride application which is easily absorbed into the enamel and helps make them more resistant to decay.

(Credit: Dr. Agnes Roze, specialist pediatric dentist)