When Was the Last Time Your Child Visited the Dentist?

If you have a son or daughter, you already know that raising kids comes with a lot of questions. After all, being a parent doesn’t come with an instruction manual! So when it comes to taking care of your child’s precious smile, it’s natural to have some questions. Read on as your pediatric dentist goes over the basics of your little one’s dental checkups, including when their first one should be, how often they should be scheduled, and why they’re so important.

When Should My Child’s First Dental Visit Be?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child visit their dentist for the first time before their first birthday. While many parents think that their children don’t have enough teeth yet to warrant a trip to the dentist, it’s important to remember that teeth are vulnerable to decay as soon as they erupt.

Even though your child’s baby teeth aren’t a permanent fixture in their smile, it’s important that they’re well taken care of. Baby teeth make learning to chew and speak easier. They also help guide permanent teeth in correctly. Visiting a dentist early in your little one’s life ensures that their baby teeth stay happy and healthy.

How Often Should My Child Get a Dental Checkup?

In general, children should see their dentist every six months just like adults. However, some dentists may recommend more often if your child needs a little extra help getting their oral health on track. Biannual checkups are an excellent way to keep tabs on your son’s or daughter’s oral development and check to see that everything is going smoothly.

During these visits, your dentist may suggest services like sealants or fluoride treatments to give your child’s smile extra protection from cavities as they grow. By the time they’re seven, they should have an orthodontic evaluation to determine how their jaw growth and bite alignment are coming along.

Why Are Dental Appointments So Important in Childhood?

There are several important benefits to be gained by starting your child’s oral health care journey early in life, three of which are:

• Spot and stop issues early: Don’t wait for your child to have a toothache to take them to the dentist! Early preventive care can help stop problems before they have a chance to begin.
• Overcome dental anxiety: Introducing your child to their dentist at an early age will help them feel comfortable getting dental checkups and can go a long way in preventing dental anxiety later.
• Instill habits for life: Teaching your son or daughter the importance of maintaining great oral health early in life is a lesson that they are likely to benefit from for decades to come!

When was the last time your little one visited the dentist? Set them up for a lifetime of great oral health by scheduling their dental checkups every six months!

About the Practice

At New England Kids Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we’re proud to serve the growing smiles of Auburn, MA and the surrounding communities with the compassionate care they deserve. With a highly trained team of two pediatric dentists and an orthodontist, we’re confident that we have everything your son’s or daughter’s smile might need as it develops. We aim to help your little one stop oral health issues before they have a chance to start, so we encourage all our patients to come in for checkups twice a year. If you’d like to learn more, we can be contacted via our website or at (508) 832-6278.