As new parents, there’s a lot you have to keep track of with regard to your new baby’s health and well being. The good news is, taking charge of their oral health routine during their first months is an easy and effective way to start them down the path to having and maintaining a great set of teeth. But how soon should you make an appointment at the dentist?
Fortunately for new parents, you’ve got a little time. The American Dental Association issued a recommendation for children to have their first dental visit roughly six months after their first baby tooth appears — and no later than their first birthday, no matter what. Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, do a couple of important things: they help young children chew food, of course, but they also act as “space holders” in the mouth, setting up the right placement for the permanent teeth that are growing behind the primary teeth, hidden under the gum line.
Baby’s first visit to the dentist is designed to be a relatively low-key affair; don’t expect a long appointment. Fundamentally, your dentist will check for early signs of tooth decay, evaluate what teeth there are and how they are coming in, and offer parents tips and ideas on how to keep their child’s new teeth as beautiful and functional as they should be in these first few years. Moreover, these early appointments are a great time for your child to get the idea that going to the dentist is a fun, and important, part of growing up.
If you’d like to learn more about how your child’s teeth will develop, or would like to make an appointment at this office, please feel free to give us a call!