A child’s first set of teeth, also known as primary teeth, are important for many reasons. They allow children to chew naturally and provide an important path to guide the permanent teeth into place. Primary teeth are also important for proper speech development.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child be seen for their first visit with a dentist within 6 months after their first tooth appears, or no later than his or her 1st birthday. Children should continue to be seen every six months to prevent decay and monitor tooth eruption.
When you and your child are seated in the treatment room, one of our dentists will discuss a daily routine of brushing, flossing and how parents can supervise healthy dental hygiene. Your child does not need to be able to sit in a treatment chair. The doctor will perform a “knee to knee” exam and apply topical fluoride. This will be an easy and comfortable exam for your child, though some children cry as a reaction to a new place or unfamiliar activity. In our experience, children that have been seen regularly starting in infancy have little anxiety by their 3-year visit.
A healthy diet, regular dental visits and routine home care will provide healthy smiles for a lifetime.