Your child’s first visit to the dentist’s office is an important milestone! It is the beginning of preventive dental care aimed at ensuring a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles! The question is, when is the best time to take your child in for the first dental appointment?

The First Visit To a Dentist’s Office

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling the first visit to the pediatric dentist’s office within six months of the arrival of your child’s first tooth, and no later than the first birthday. These first appointments will allow us to monitor your child’s oral development and to help establish a lifetime of oral health.

What Happens During Your Child’s First Dental Appointment?

We will make sure your child’s first visit is comfortable and enjoyable. After welcoming your child, we will begin a visual examination to ensure everything looks great. Next, we will take all the time needed to talk to you about caring for your child’s oral health, and will answer any questions you have.

Just like adults, children should visit the dentist’s office twice a year. During your child’s appointment, we will clean their teeth and check for any early signs of cavities or problems. We will treat any condition before it progresses, along with providing any needed preventive treatments to ensure your child’s mouth stays in tip-top shape.

The Importance of Baby Teeth

The importance of maintaining the health of your child’s baby teeth cannot be overemphasized. Even though these little chompers will eventually fall out, you need to make sure they stay healthy.

Baby teeth help with speech development because teeth are essential for learning how to form sounds and words correctly. Teeth also help your child chew foods, allowing for adequate nutrition.

Baby teeth falling out too early may compromise your child’s oral health and development. Neighboring teeth may begin shifting into the empty space, meaning that the adult teeth may not find the necessary room to come in properly. This may lead to crooked teeth or a crowded mouth which will potentially require orthodontic treatment down the road.

Tooth decay in primary teeth can cause long-term harm because they can permanently damage your child’s developing adult teeth. It is important to your start infant off with proper oral care to help ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles!

Caring for Baby Teeth

Oral care begins at birth. Start by wiping down your infant’s gums with a damp warm gauze or cloth after feedings until the first baby teeth arrive. Begin brushing those tiny pearly whites with a small, soft-bristled brush designed for infants. You may use a smear of infant toothpaste, no larger than a grain of rice. As your child grows, make sure to encourage brushing twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing at least once a day. 

About Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

We, at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry love caring for our young patients. Our highly trained and child-friendly staff is committed to delivering exceptional care in a pleasant and comfortable environment. We strive to develop a partnership with you aimed at ensuring your child’s smile is off to a great start!