Childhood is filled with one milestone after another! Each year, your child will experience growth and changes that can feel exciting, frustrating, and even a little scary.
One important milestone that you should keep in mind is your child’s first dental visit. With daily at-home care and routine dental visits, you can help your child grow a healthy smile and develop positive habits that will empower them to maintain this strong smile.
So, what age should you first bring them to the dentist?
First Tooth or First Birthday
Bring your child to the dentist when their first tooth has come in or by their first birthday—whichever one happens first!
While it may seem unnecessary to consult a dentist if your child has no teeth yet or just a few teeth, these early visits are valuable! Your child’s dentist will check whether everything is developing properly, clean and count their teeth, and answer any questions you may have. Additionally, early exposure to the dentist will help your child become more comfortable and less anxious about their oral healthcare.
A Child’s First Orthodontic Evaluation
Did you know that braces and orthodontic treatment aren’t only for teens? We recommend that a child has their first orthodontic evaluation around the age of seven. This is about the time that a child starts losing their baby teeth and permanent teeth start coming in. Orthodontic issues can be detected and treated earlier than you might expect. Early treatment can guide your child’s proper development, lessen the time they need to spend in braces later, and reduce their risk of damage and dental disease.
Gentle Kids’ Dentist in Tyler, TX
Do you have more questions about pediatric dental care? Or do you want some tips on how to prepare your child for their first dental visit? At Storybook Smiles Children’s Dentistry in Tyler, our team specializes in kids’ dental care so we’d be happy to answer any questions that you might have. Please contact us today!
