Photographer: D Sharon Pruitt
Remember: ONE dental visit when there’s ONE tooth can equal ZERO cavities.
When should my child first see a dentist?
“First visit by first birthday sums it up.” Your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. Early examination and preventative care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.
First dental visits are mostly educational. The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) recommends that every child visit the dentist by the child’s first birthday. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend a child visit the dentist by age one as well. This “well baby check” for the teeth can establish a dental home and helps ensure that parents learn the tools they’ll need to help their children remain cavity-free.
A 2006 scientific paper in Pediatric Dentistry revealed that children who waited past their first birthday and did not see a dentist until age two or three “were more likely to have subsequent preventive, restorative and emergency visits.”
Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?
The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (ECC).