As parents, we would like to take care of our kids to the best of our abilities. When it comes to their dental health the earlier they have dental checkups the better we can prevent them from having oral health problems in the future. But the question is: “When is the best time for your children to have their first visit to the pediatric dentist? Is it when the first tooth comes out? Is it when all the baby teeth have come out?”
The opinions of every parent are quite mixed:
- Some parents believe that if they brush their child’s teeth regularly, then they don’t need to visit their specialist.
- Others believe that the first visit is when their children turn 3 years old.
- Some even believe that they might be flagged for scamming dental insurance when they visit the dental office even if their children had hardly any teeth yet.
While these statements are true, the reason you’d want to visit your kid’s dentist the soonest time possible is so that you can avoid the detrimental effects of oral health problems that your child will face if it is not prevented early.
Moreover, here are five reasons your one-year-old should go to the kid’s pediatric dentist:
Build Trust and Get Rid of Fears
When you bring your child to the dental office early, they will be more familiar with the staff, dentist, and how a dental procedure works. This helps to decrease your child’s fear and anxiety over time.
It also provides your child with a dental home early on. This means that you’ll know who to call for dental emergencies like when your child experiences toothache, swollen gums, or any other dental problems. Since your specialist knows your child, it will be easier to identify what is causing the problem as they already have your child’s dental history.
Learn More About Good Dental Habits Early On
You can make a quick google search to find out online habits you need to follow or avoid, but nothing beats getting advice from an expert. Common questions like:
- When to start brushing
- What kind of toothpaste to use
- What foods are friendly for a one-year-old
- How long can a baby have a bottle
And many more are best answered by an expert who has spent and many more are best answered by the person who studied for years in the field than a blogger who got the information from the internet.
Learn: Dentistry for kids
Know the Signs of Cavities Before it Becomes a Bigger Problem
Often patients will need to visit their dental office when their child already has a severe oral health condition such as tooth decay or when their child is experiencing excruciating pain. These kinds of symptoms mean that the condition is already at its worst. During this time, the kid’s dentist will have to perform an invasive treatment. When checkup begins at an early age, patients will have enough knowledge to understand what is going on with their child’s mouth; therefore prevents the development of oral health diseases.
Although, parents don’t have to worry about their child’s teeth at this age, helping them develop healthy habits early can make a huge difference later on when they become adults. Contact Us for more information.
Further read Baby Teeth Growth Chart.
Sources:
- Paediatric dentistry
- Definition Of A Dental Home http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/D_DentalHome.pdf