Important Ages To Visit a Kids Dentist for Long-Term Oral Health

Getting your child accustomed to the dentist can set them up for success in terms of oral health. A kids dentist strives to make every visit a comfortable one. Not only does this help your child build a positive association with going to the dentist, but it also allows the dentist to provide necessary oral healthcare services such as routine dental cleanings.

Your child’s first dental visit

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children should see a dentist by their first birthday. This allows the dentist to ensure that the child's first tooth or teeth and entire mouth are in good condition. The dentist may also professionally clean any erupted teeth and polish them for a better appearance and to make it more difficult for plaque to stick to the teeth surfaces.

Parents often wonder how much cleaning and examining primary (baby) teeth truly need. While the dentist may find the tooth healthy enough to forgo polishing, the oral exam cannot hurt. In fact, many parents find peace of mind knowing their children’s oral health is in good shape.

Further, as per Stanford Medicine, one key purpose of the first dental visit is to help the child become accustomed to dental exams and cleanings. This can help ease fear about going to the dentist as the child ages. Being comfortable with dental work can benefit a patient long into adulthood. They will be more likely to keep regular dental appointments, which means having their teeth cleaned routinely and oral health conditions detected and treated as soon as possible.

What if you missed this dental milestone?

Parents who have missed bringing their children to the dentist by age one should not be too worried. A kids dentist can complete a first dental appointment past age one. It is much better to have the first appointment late than never. In certain cases, it may even be necessary to delay the first appointment until the child's second birthday. WebMD states that children who no longer drink from bottles and never have anything to eat or drink in the middle of the night are not at high risk for oral health problems.

Next visits

Dental checkups are recommended every six months to ensure the child’s continued oral health. At each appointment, the kids' dentist and dental hygienist perform a dental cleaning and exam before giving parents advice on children’s oral hygiene.

There are certain ages during which these checkups are of the utmost importance:

Ages three and four

By this point, most children will have all of their primary teeth. That means they are at a higher risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. A dental checkup can protect the teeth and address any oral health conditions.

Ages six and seven

This is when most children start to lose their primary teeth and have permanent (adult) teeth erupt. During a dental checkup, a kids dentist can ensure that smile and jaw development are progressing smoothly.