Have you always wondered when to bring your child to the dentist for their first visit? We have a great rule you can follow - it’s a rule of firsts: First tooth or First Birthday!
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child’s first dental visit to be as soon as they get their first tooth (as early as 6 months of age) and no later than their first birthday.
You may wonder, but my child barely has any teeth at this point, why do we need to go so early? Bringing your child to a dentist earlier on has many benefits:
- 54% of California children have tooth decay by kindergarten
- Visiting a dentist earlier on can help you learn ways to prevent your child from getting cavities
- By age one, your child may already have 8 teeth! This means they can already develop cavities!
- You and your dentist can work together as a team to come up with a healthy teeth plan that works best for your family, such as how to brush and what types of snacks to eat
- Your dentist can help you understand what teeth are expected next and how to take care of your teething child
But best of all, you’ll always have a friendly face to answer any question you may have. We understand that parenting can be difficult, and we want to be there as part of the process with you. We welcome everyone to be a part of our East Valley Smiles family!
