As a parent, there’s a lot of care and patience that go into helping your child grow into a healthy adult. When it comes to dental health, it’s especially important for children to begin on an early path for success.
As an infant grows into a toddler, teeth will begin emerging from their gums. Even though the teeth are not permanent and will come out to make room for adult teeth in a few years, baby teeth are important for chewing food, speaking clearly and help hold space for permanent teeth.
Long before this occurs, you should be taking steps to care for their gums and baby teeth. Bacteria in the mouth usually are harmless to gums, but when the teeth start to push through, it becomes a concern. Since it can sometimes be tough to know when the teeth start to come in, it’s better to start early.
Additionally, the more your baby is used to having his mouth cleaned as part of his daily routine the easier it is to transition into toothbrushing later on. No need to use a toothbrush at this age, keeping their gums clean with a damp washcloth after they’ve had their formula will help to keep cavities from happening.
When to Schedule their First Dental Visit
Once teeth begin to erupt, it’s time to make your child’s first dental appointment. The age when this happens can vary but should happen by the time your child is one year of age. Even if no teeth have erupted, you should still schedule an appointment around their first birthday for a check-up.
Do You Need a Specialist for their First Dental Visit
You probably do not need to see a pediatric dental specialist at this point. Pediatric dentists have chosen to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry and must complete at least an additional two years of training. These dental specialists only treat children through adolescence and specialize in management and treatment of children’s developing teeth, child behavior, physical development and treatment of children with special needs. Pediatric Dentists are typically paid more than a general dentist because of the extended training, trauma and emergency skills and special temperament required to effectively treat children with special needs. General dentists treat patients of all ages. Therefore your child can be seen by a general family dentist or a pediatric dentist. Our dentists have extensive training in pediatric dentistry.
What Happens at a Child’s First Dentist Visit
At your child’s first dentist visit a routine exam will be performed to check the progress of your child’s teeth. The first visit is important to provide them with an opportunity to get familiar with the dentist. Alleviating any concerns about sitting in the chair, having someone look inside of their mouth with dental instruments and learning about the importance of keeping a clean mouth are all critical steps in supporting a healthy future for your child.
