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When your baby starts crawling and walking on their own, you take as many precautions as possible to ensure their safety. The same rings true for their physical and dental health. It’s essential to get the care they need at the appropriate time and attend regular check-ups.
Your child’s first pediatric dentist visit is often a nerve-wracking experience – but it doesn’t have to be if you know what to expect! In this article, we walk through the best age for your child to start seeing the dentist, as well as what to expect at that visit.
At What Age Should a Child Go to the Dentist?
We receive a lot of calls asking what the best age to schedule a first pediatric dentist appointment is.
To answer the question, there is no specific age to take your child for their first oral care visit. The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry states that it’s best to take your child to the dentist in one of two situations. The first is when your child’s first tooth arrives, and the second is your child’s first birthday.
This means your child’s first pediatric dentist visit will be between six months and one year since baby teeth can emerge that early. Although this seems early, it’s vital to ensure that your child’s teeth and gums are developing properly. An early visit to the dentist also helps detect any tooth or gum decay.
Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases – and it’s completely preventable! If you wait until your child is three years old, you’re risking cavities and tooth decay. This is entirely preventable if you maintain a routine checkup when teeth first start appearing.
What Happens at Your Child’s First Pediatric Dentist Visit?
First, it’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to caring for children. Many special circumstances will affect what happens at your child’s first pediatric dentist visit. However, here is a general overall of what to expect:
- Upon arrival, our friendly team will ensure all patient forms are filled out and that you and your child are comfortable from the moment you walk in.
- A dental hygienist will take you and your child back to a comfortable room where your child will sit on your lap for the exam. This is only for a baby’s first dental appointment. As the child grows older, they will become more comfortable sitting in the chair on their own.
- We’ll provide a cool pair of sunglasses to protect their eyes. We then examine and clean your baby’s teeth. Unless necessary, we will not take x-rays on a baby’s first visit.
- Our hygienist will also show you how to properly clean your baby’s teeth, discuss fluoride needs, and recommend any oral care products.
- Once the dentist joins you and your child, they will perform a more thorough examination to determine if there are any signs of tooth decay. They will also look at the development of the teeth and express any concerns.
Your child’s first pediatric dentist appointment will end with our team providing a dental health bag with an infant or toddler toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss.
Schedule Your Child’s First Pediatric Dentist Appointment
Scheduling your child’s first pediatric dentist visit is an important step to ensuring your child’s dental health. Our entire team is dedicated to making your child’s visit a great experience.
ABQ Pediatric Dentistry is a full-service pediatric dental clinic located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The practice is led by Dr. Audrey Rawson, a board-certified dentist and a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, who is joined by a team of compassionate hygienists and assistants.
