The prevention of decay in infants and children is extremely important. Every child should visit the dentist soon after the first tooth erupts. The “well baby visit” is designed to teach parents/caregivers how to take care of their children’s teeth and help them remain cavity-free.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children in the United States. Roughly 40 percent of children have decay by the time they reach kindergarten. In baby teeth (primary teeth) decay can progress rapidly. Once decay reaches the nerve (pulp) there is an increase in the probability of infection (abscess) and loss of the offending tooth. Early loss of primary teeth creates loss of space for the permanent teeth which still need to erupt. Space needs to be preserved by the use space maintainers, which are usually cemented to the teeth.