[Early prevention of oral diseases]

Considering the intensivity of growth and development of the child in its first year, we might say that this is very dramatic period. Very complex processes of development of orofacial structures occur in the first year. Based on series of investigations, contemporary dental medicine is paying full attention to prevention of oral diseases. New attitude is that preventive measures should be undertaken as early as in the first year of the child's life. Prevention of oral diseases in infancy consists of parental education, adequate diet, oral hygiene and fluoridation. It is important to stress that a attending of dentist at the age of 12 months should not be missed, for there is a lot of important instructions for parents to get, considering future oral health of their child. This means that the children in their first year are very desirable patients for the dentist and preventive measures undertaken at this age will have significant effects on their oral health through their whole life.