When should your child visit the dentist for the first time? All
things considered, the earlier the better. Studies have shown that visiting the
dentist at an early age (around 1-2 years old), followed by regular dental
visits, is positively
correlated with lifelong oral health.
Teeth and gum health is important for young children. How
important? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half
of children (more than 40%) have some sort of tooth decay by the time they reach
kindergarten.
Given the impact of early childhood dental visits on oral (and
overall) health, many parents want to know when they should have their child
visit the dentist. Of all the questions we receive at Dr. Dental, it’s one of the most frequent for sure.
Your Child’s
First Dental Visit
Two primary factors determine the timing of your child’s first
trip to the dentist:
- Age
- When their first tooth erupts
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends
every child should see their dentist by age one, or
six months after primary teeth first appear.
Because most primary teeth start to erupt around six months, the
age one guideline usually holds firm. However, some children don’t get their
primary teeth until later. For example, if your child has their primary teeth
erupt at nine months, they should see the dentist between age one and 15
months.
Let’s say your child gets their primary teeth at five months. In this case, you should see the dentist between 11 months and one year old.
Depending on when your child’s first dental visit occurs, they may
experience anxiety or nervousness. Before age one, they’re most likely too
young to be nervous. If their initial trip to the dentist doesn’t happen until
16 months or so, you can ask your dentist about any questions or concern you or
your child have.
Visit Dr.
Dental for Superior Pediatric Oral Healthcare
If your child is ready for their first dental visit, Dr. Dental is
the perfect place to get started! We even have a new patient cleaning special, part of our deals and discounts,
which is available for all new patients at Dr. Dental. Stop by any of our offices today – we look forward to seeing you
soon!
The Right Time for Your Child’s First Dental Visit was last modified: February 12th, 2020 by
