At What Age Should I Take My Child For Their First Dental Check-up?

Ask any dentist – good oral health habits need to start young. But exactly how young?

Parents often wonder when they should start taking their children to the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that your child should have a "first visit by the first birthday." This is because a child’s first tooth usually emerges at the age of about six to 12 months. It is essential that good oral health care and regular check-ups begin as soon as the first tooth erupts from the child's gums. While this may seem overzealous, it protects the teeth as they come in and prevents dental problems early on.

During the first year of life, most children are consuming strictly breast-milk or formula. As soon as they start exploring solid foods they can experience tooth decay. In addition, many infants develop Early Childhood Caries, which is typically known as baby bottle tooth decay. When infants and toddlers start unhealthy behaviors such as thumb-sucking, their teeth can come in crooked. In addition to encouraging tooth decay, crooked teeth may lead to bite problems and alignment issues with their baby teeth. These issues should be addressed early, in order to keep them from becoming severe enough to require additional treatment.

When your child has an initial dental visit, the dentist can also educate you on how to properly care for your little one’s teeth as he or she matures. For example, a baby's gums should be massaged with an infant toothbrush or clean washcloth moistened with water. As teeth begin to appear in the mouth, they should be brushed twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste.

Your welcomed to talk with the dentists of Miami Modern Dental about how you can start your child on healthy oral habits – the stepping stones of knowledge to properly care for their teeth and gums into adulthood, for a lifetime of good oral health.


Related FAQ's.