http://dentistnorthridgeca.com In this video, Dr. David Shannon, dentist in Northridge, CA discusses the parent's role in the child's first dental visit. Prior to the child's 1st birthday, the child should be brought into the dentist's office to begin building a rapport with the dentist and staff. It is also an opportunity to educate both parent and child on routine dental techniques and the effective use of preventive measures such as thorough oral hygiene procedures. To prevent gum disease and tooth decay, Dr. David Shannon discourages parents from allowing the baby to fall asleep with a bottle in the mouth. Bacteria forms on the teeth over night, leading to decay. If the child is resistant to going to sleep without a bottle, it is highly recommended to put water into the bottle instead of juice or milk to prevent the child's teeth from rotting, and developing "bottle syndrome." Most importantly, parents should be aware of the value of early, preventive care.
