When Should My Child Start Going to the Dentist?

If your child has already got some teeth, you may be wondering about when you need to start taking them to visit the dentist. Dental visits may not necessarily seem a priority when your child is young, but actually, proper oral hygiene and preventative dental care is just as important for kids as it is for adults. And in fact, childhood is the ideal time to start teaching your child tooth-friendly habits that will help support their oral health as they grow up. So, when should you start taking your child to the dentist?

Taking your child to the dentist for the first time

The American Dental Association and the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend parents to schedule their child’s first visit to a dentist before or around the time of their first birthday – so long as they have a tooth of course! Although the average age for an infant to cut their first tooth is 6 months old, some children will be earlier or later, and a small percentage of babies don’t get a tooth until they are over a year old!

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that your child’s first dental visit won’t involve much more than a cursory look inside their mouth at the teeth that they have had come through. What’s more important at this stage is that your pediatric dentist talks to you about how you can support your child’s oral health as they grow. There are some habits and behaviors that are good to get into, and others which should be avoided. For example, it’s best to prevent prolonged pacifier usage, or thumb-sucking, since both can affect the position of your child’s teeth as they grow. Meanwhile, teaching them how to brush their teeth and the importance of limiting sugary drinks and snacks sets them up for success in keeping their smile healthy as they get older.

Why are pediatric dental appointments important?

It’s just as important for children to visit the dentist as it is for adults. And in fact, there are many reasons why it is a great idea to get children used to visiting the dentist from an early age.

• Your pediatric dentist can start your child’s dental record from the beginning, which can be used to build a comprehensive dental history that could prove to be invaluable in the future.

• We all know that children don’t like listening to their parents. However, when you take your child to see a pediatric dentist, they can talk directly to your child about the importance of taking proper care of their teeth and oral hygiene.

• Your pediatric dentist will be able to give you specific advice relating to childhood habits that can potentially have consequences for your child’s oral health.

• Taking your child to the dentist from an early age gets them used to the sights, sounds and smells of the dental office environment, which could help prevent them from developing anxiety or fear of visiting the dentist in the future.

• Your pediatric dentist will refer your child to an orthodontic at the appropriate time if necessary. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have an orthodontic evaluation before their 7^th birthday. It’s important since many children require orthodontic treatment, such as braces, to improve the alignment of their teeth.

If you would like more information about taking your child to the dentist, or to schedule an appointment, call Boss Dental Care in Corpus Christi, Texas at 361-245-5400.