Is It Time for Your Child’s First Dental Visit?

Making dental appointments for your toddler may not be the first thing on your mind as you learn to deal with your child’s transition from infancy. However, various studies show that starting regular dental visits at an early age positively correlates with lifelong oral health.

Oral health is particularly important for younger children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 40% of children have tooth decay by the time they get enrolled in kindergarten.

Hence, the sooner you book a dental appointment for your child, the better it is for their oral health.

What Is the Appropriate Age For the First Dental Visit?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), it is recommended that every child should see a dentist by age one or within six months after the appearance of their first primary teeth. Since primary teeth generally start erupting around six months, the guideline holds firm either way.

However, if your child doesn’t grow any teeth until later, it is okay to delay the first appointment accordingly. For instance, if their first teeth grow around the 9-month mark, seeing the dentist at 15 months is completely fine. Similarly, if they start growing teeth at five months, they should see a dentist when they’re 11 months old.

In case you have missed this window, book an appointment with a child dentist as soon as possible. It’s better to start now than to delay even further.

If you believe that it is the right time for your child’s first dental appointment, Little Smiles of Delaware is a great place to consider. Dr. Ben Kwok is a great children’s dentist and will make sure to provide essential guidance so that you can keep your child’s oral health in check. Head over to our website to book an appointment.