Your baby’s teeth have started erupting through their gums. You’ve consulted your pediatrician with any teething questions and issues. You know you need to take your child to the dentist at some point. But when should you schedule his/her first dental visit?
When to Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Visit
At Peace Haven Family Dentistry, we recommend scheduling your child’s first dental visit between six months old and one year of age. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child’s first dental visit takes place when the first tooth appears, which is usually between six months and one year of age.
There has been a common misconception to wait until a child is between two and five years old to make that first dental appointment. However, we have seen too many times that delaying your child’s first dental visit can be detrimental to their health. Many children, due to the introduction of cow’s milk and juices (which both have an abundance of natural and added sugars), come into our office with already progressing cavities. The discomfort triggered by cavities can cause irritability in children as well as food aversions, as they avoid chewing in that area or reject certain foods altogether.
Don’t Delay the First Dental Visit
Tooth decay can set in as soon as the first tooth erupts. There’s no waiting period for tooth decay. So, it’s always best to see a dentist sooner rather than later.
Strong and healthy primary teeth can help your child chew and speak efficiently. They also act as a placeholder for your child’s permanent teeth, situated right under the gums.
Early visits can help catch any dental problems before they become worse. A toddler is not able to fully communicate any health or dental issues. So, we want to see your child before any cavities and pain occur. In addition, problems with the baby teeth can affect your child’s speech and eating habits. Cavities in baby teeth can also influence the development of his/her permanent teeth.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Dental Visit
During your child’s first dental visit, we will check on the normal growth, progress, and condition of your child’s baby teeth. And we will also take the time to provide tips and strategies for your child’s proper dental care, including brushing, bottle feeding, and nutrition for cavity prevention. Generally, X-rays and cleanings can wait until a future visit.
3 Tips for Your Child’s First Dental Visit
- Schedule a morning appointment when your child is well rested.
- Don’t bribe your child to come to the dentist. This sets up a negative pattern and association with the dentist.
- If you are anxious about your own dental visits, try to keep that to yourself. Your child may find going to the dentist to be fun.
Your Peace Haven dental team looks forward to partnering with you in order to maintain your child’s dental health from day one. We look forward to meeting you and your child!
Call us Today for Your Child’s First Dental Visit!
All Aspects of General Dentistry Including: Root Canal Therapy, Dental Extractions, Invisalign, Dental Implants, Tooth Colored Fillings, Same Day CEREC Crowns, Full and Partial Dentures, 3-D CBCT X-rays
My office is located at:
1086 Whitaker Rd.
Winston Salem, NC 27106
336-765-9247
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