A child’s first year is full of special milestones, not least seeing that first tooth erupt. At this stage you’re probably reaching for the camera yet again, but you should also be reaching for the phone to book your child’s first dental visit, if you haven’t done so already. A lot of people think this seems very soon, especially as baby teeth will fall out a few years later. In fact great dental care starts early, and can help your child enjoy healthy teeth and gums right throughout their lifetime.
When Should Your Child First Visit the Dentist?
Your child’s first teeth are very important and they won’t be lost until around age 6 onwards, with the final primary teeth being replaced by adult teeth around age 12. It’s just as important to care for primary teeth as it is to care for their permanent teeth, as they are critically important to make sure the adult teeth can erupt correctly so they can function properly.
Child’s first dental visit to a pediatric dentist should take place before your child’s first birthday, or soon after they get their very first tooth. You’ll find our experienced pediatric dentists in NY will make sure very young children are kept comfortable, but it is important for them to have a proper examination and it is more than just a casual appointment.
Child’s First Dental Visit Is Extremely Informative
This child’s first dental visit can also be informative for parents and caregivers. Our dentists will assess your child’s risk for tooth decay, and can provide hands on training on how to clean your child’s teeth, and this is generally a very quick process for a very young child’s mouth. We can also advise you on the proper nutrition to ensure their teeth and bones can develop correctly, and can make other recommendations depending on your child’s individual needs. All treatment is fully customized for each child to provide the very best level of care.
Pediatric Dentist to Detect Any Dental Issues in Brooklyn
Child’s first dental visit can detect any issues that may create problems in the future, and can determine how often you’ll need to bring your child in to see a pediatric dentist. It’s possible children at low risk of developing tooth decay or other dental diseases will only need to come in once or twice a year until all their primary teeth are fully erupted. Children at higher risk may need to come in more frequently. Childhood tooth decay is a real risk, and can affect babies and very young children. Its development is associated with a number of different factors, and identifying caries earlier rather than later can help reduce the risk of your child having problems with tooth decay. Children’s tooth decay can develop very rapidly, within six months or less, and tends to first affect the front baby teeth that typically come through the gums around eight months of age.
Your child’s dental health is closely related to your family’s dental health, as children are not born with disease causing bacteria in their mouth. These are passed on through parents and caregivers kissing a child, or through sharing utensils with them. It is very important for parents of young children to make sure their own dental health is the very best it can be.
