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Test Your Knowledge of Children's Dental Health
1. When should a child's first dental visit take place?
A child's first dental visit should occur when the first tooth erupts and no later than age one.1 The older a child is at their first dental visit, the likelihood of having caries increases. For each additional year a child waits for their first dental visit, their chances of having caries at that initial appointment are multiplied by a factor of 2.1. For example, a child whose first dental visit is at five years old has almost 20 times the chance of having caries than a child whose first visit was at age one.2
Establishing a dental home by age one allows for early prevention and oral health education, which can lead to improved oral and overall health. Additionally, it allows for early identification of dental diseases, such as caries, using more conservative treatment techniques rather than needing more extensive or invasive treatments later on, which can be costly.1,2
1. Periodicity of Examination, Preventive Dental Services, Anticipatory Guidance/Counseling, and Oral Treatment for Infants, Children, and Adolescents. (2022). American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policies_guidelines/bp_periodicity.pdf
2. Baker, S.D., Lee, J.Y., Wright, R. (2019). The Importance of the Age One Dental Visit. Pediatric Oral Health Research and Policy Center, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policy-center/year1visit.pdf
2. Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood.
Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood.1 Of children ages two to five, nearly one in four (23%) have had caries in their primary teeth. Untreated caries affects about one in 10 children in this age group. For certain populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities and those with low incomes, the prevalence of childhood caries and untreated caries in this age group doubles compared to non-minority children living in higher-income households.2
In children ages six to eight, just over half (52%) have had caries in their primary teeth. Untreated caries affects 16% of children in this age group. The prevalence of untreated caries doubles for children living in low-income households compared to those living in higher-income households.2
1. Policy on Oral Health Care Programs for Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Individuals With Special Health Care Needs. (2024). American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policies_guidelines/p_oralhealthcareprog.pdf
2. Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) in Children Ages 2 to 11 Years. (2022, November). NIH: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/dental-caries/children
3. Children and adolescents with poorer oral health are _____ likely to miss school when compared to those whose oral health is maintained.
Children and adolescents with poorer oral health are more likely to experience oral pain and miss school compared to those whose oral health is maintained. Dental pain may cause children and adolescents to become irritable, withdrawn, or unable to concentrate, affecting school performance. Left untreated, pain and infection caused by dental caries can also lead to issues with speaking and learning and interfere with eating and adequate nutritional intake.
Policy on School Absences for Dental Appointments. (2023). American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policies_guidelines/p_schoolabsences.pdf
4. Which professionally-applied topical fluoride agent is recommended for children under age six?
The only professionally applied topical fluoride agent recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs for children under age six is unit-dosed 2.26% fluoride varnish (5% NaF). Fluoride varnish is efficacious and minimizes the risk of accidental ingestion compared to other fluoride options.1,2
Children at risk for caries should receive professional fluoride treatment at least every three to six months, depending on their risk status and individual needs.1,2
1. Fluoride Therapy. (2023). American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policies_guidelines/bp_fluoridetherapy.pdf
2. Weyant, R.J., Tracy, S.L., Anselmo, T., et al. Topical Fluoride for Caries Prevention: Executive Summary of the Updated Clinical Recommendations and Supporting Systematic Review [published correction appears in J Am Dent Assoc 2013 Dec; 144(12): 1335. Dosage error in article text]. J Am Dent Assoc. 2013; 144(11): 1279-1291. https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)60659-0/fulltext
5. At what age should children undergo their first orthodontic evaluation?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children undergo their first orthodontic evaluation at age seven or when the first anomaly is noted. Early orthodontic intervention while skeletal structures are still growing and more adaptable to change may lessen the duration and complexity of future orthodontic interventions.
Early signs that can indicate the need for orthodontic intervention include:
- Early or late loss of deciduous teeth
- Increased overjet or overbite
- Anterior or posterior cross bite
- Constricted arches
- Excessive spacing
- Grinding or clenching
- Parafunctional oral habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing
- Improper maxillomandibular relationships
- Facial asymmetry
- Speech disorders
- Difficulty in mastication
- Facial or dental trauma
- Supernumerary, ectopic, or missing teeth
- Craniofacial anomalies such as cleft lip and palate
Koaban, A., Al-Harbi, S.K., Al-Shehri, A.Z., et al. Current Trends in Pediatric Orthodontics: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. 2024; 16(9): e68537. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11449468/
