When should I start taking my kids to the dentist?

Lots of questions come up when you have kids. At what point should you start taking them to the dentist? It’s earlier than you may think—most dentists recommend your child receive their first examination around age one.

Does a one-year-old really need to see a dentist?

It may sound premature, but those early visits can be just as beneficial for you as they are for your kids. In addition to helping your child become accustomed to the dentist, you can learn more about how to properly care for their teeth.

Children develop (and teeth) at different rates, so a helpful guideline to follow is that a child’s first dental visit should happen about six months after his or her first tooth erupts. After age two, kids should see a dentist at least twice a year.

Why care for baby teeth if they’ll eventually fall out?

It may feel like a waste to invest in dental care for teeth that are not permanent. However, the “baby teeth” stage is crucial to lifelong oral health. A child’s permanent teeth are more likely to be healthy and grow in with minimal complications if the child has healthy baby teeth that are allowed to develop and fall out naturally. Cavities and other issues caused by poor oral hygiene can complicate this process. 

If you help your child learn good brushing and flossing habits early, they’ll be well-prepared to take great care of their permanent teeth! Plus, research shows that children who start visiting the dentist early experience less dental anxiety throughout their lives.

What’s the key? Prevention!

Regular dental visits throughout childhood are also important because they allow the dentist to monitor the child’s developing facial bone structure in addition to their teeth. Nearly all dental and orthodontic conditions are less severe when identified and treated early, and some issues may be prevented altogether with early detection!

If you have any additional questions about proper children’s dental care, please give us a call at  (801) 317-4407 or stop by our office!