When Should My Child Have Their First Dental Appointment?
Did you know that babies and toddlers can get cavities too? It is possible that as soon as your child gets their first tooth, it can decay if their oral health is not being taken care of. Although baby teeth will eventually be replaced by more permanent, adult teeth, it’s still important to worry about potential tooth decay in baby teeth. According to the American Dental Association, decay in primary, or baby teeth, could mean a higher risk of decay in permanent teeth. Most parents do not know when to schedule their child’s first dental appointment. In this blog post, we will answer some frequently asked questions about your child’s first dental appointment.
Question: Should I worry about tooth decay in children?
Answer: Yes. Children are actually at a higher risk for decay if their teeth are exposed to sugar often or for long periods of time. Generally, as a child, we are giving our children candy and beverages that contain high amounts of sugar such as fruit juice. Ideally, we would want to limit the amount of sugar intake we allow our children, but if you want to give them a sweet treat every once in a while, it is highly recommended to have them rinse their mouths after and brush their teeth.
Question: At what age should my child see a dentist?
Answer: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you take your child to a pediatric dentist at the earliest of these two dates: 1) the date on which your child’s first tooth appears and 2) your child’s first birthday
More than 21% of American children between the ages of 2 and 5 have cavities, so taking your child to their dentist early on can help prevent cavities and promote good oral health habits.
Question: What can my child expect at their first dentist visit?
Answer: It’s not uncommon for children to be afraid during their first dental visit. At Archbold Family Dental, we will make sure that your child’s first appointment will allow them to meet Dr. Custer before any dental work is done. This will allow your child to become comfortable and familiar with Dr. Custer and the rest of the Archbold Family Dental staff.
If you are interested in scheduling your child’s first appointment, contact us and we can help make sure your child’s first dental visit goes smoothly.