Did you know that over half of children between the ages of five through nine have at least one cavity? Unfortunately, some kids in this age group have more than one.
If you’re a new mom, you might want to do everything you can to prevent cavities from forming on your child’s teeth, and taking kids to the dentist is one great way to achieve this goal.
When should you bring your child to their first dentist visit, though? Is there a specific age that dentists recommend? How can you find out?
Most new parents wonder about these types of things. If you have questions like this, continue reading this article to learn when you should take your child to the dentist for their first visit.
What the AAPD Recommends for a First Dentist Visit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends taking children to the dentist for their first visit by the age of one or by the time they get their first tooth.
Most children start teething when they are just three to four months old. By the age of six months, you will probably see the first tooth erupt. After that, you will see the rest of your child’s teeth erupt one by one.
Caring for your child’s teeth is vital even before the teeth start coming through the gums. Your baby might not be born with teeth that you can see, but they are there, hiding under the gums.
If you want your baby’s teeth to grow strong and healthy, you might want to schedule the first visit by the time your baby turns one. While this visit might not include all the steps you receive at your visits, it is important.
How to Care for a Baby’s Mouth
From the time your baby is born, caring for his or her mouth is an essential thing you should do daily. You can learn how to do this by visiting a dentist, but you can also learn by reading blogs and articles about it.
There are several things that you can do to care for your baby’s mouth, even before the teeth start appearing. First, you should wipe your baby’s mouth with a clean, warm cloth several times a day.
A good habit to have is wiping out their mouth after each feeding. By doing this, you wipe away bacteria from the gums, leaving the mouth cleaner.
Secondly, you should only feed your baby breastmilk or formula. While you might want to give your baby some water, too, you should always avoid giving them juice or other things.
Finally, never put your baby in his crib with a bottle. When a baby is lying down with a bottle, they might develop baby bottle decay.
Following these tips can help you care for your baby’s mouth, keeping it decay-free.
Reasons to Start Visits at a Young Age
You might think that going to a child dentist at the age of one is too soon. While you can wait if you want, you might want to consider the reasons that dentists recommend starting at this age.
First, when you start going to a dentist at a young age, you can learn how to properly care for your child’s teeth. Secondly, going at a young age helps you catch problems at an early stage.
It’s also important to know that when you start at a young age, your child will get used to going to the dentist. By starting young, you can eliminate the fears that many children have of going to the dentist.
Finally, starting young helps you develop the right daily oral care routine for your child. If you don’t have a pediatric dentist, check out boisedentist.com.
The Importance of Healthy Teeth
Another thing to understand is the importance of having healthy baby teeth.
You might think that your child’s baby teeth are not really that important, but this is not true. Their baby teeth can affect the permanent teeth when they erupt.
When baby teeth develop decay, the decay can seep down into the permanent teeth. If this happens, your child will instantly have cavities on his or her permanent teeth.
Additionally, when baby teeth develop decay, your dentist might want to remove them to prevent the decay from getting into the permanent teeth. If this happens, your child might need space maintainers to hold the spaces.
Finally, when you bring your child to the dentist at a young age, the dentist can apply sealants to your child’s teeth as soon as they fully erupt. Dental sealants protect teeth from decay, and most dentists recommend them.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
During your baby’s first dental visit, the dentist might do just a few things. First, the dentist will examine the baby’s mouth to see if he or she has any teeth.
Next, they might gently brush the baby’s teeth to clean them. Most dentists do not perform teeth cleaning services or fluoride treatments to kids until they are at least two or three.
The benefit, though, is that your child can start learning about dentistry and oral care at a young age. As a parent, you can learn the best techniques and strategies to use to help your child develop healthy, strong teeth.
If you’re not sure when to take your child to the dentist, consider the recommendations listed here. You can also learn more by contacting a local dentist.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Taking your child for their first dentist visit is essential for your child’s oral health. Starting young can help your child have a healthier mouth, and it can teach you ways to encourage good oral care habits for your child.
You can choose a pediatric dentist in your city and schedule the first visit for your child.
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