A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our office makes a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe your child’s first dental visit and treatment. We want you to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.

When New Teeth Arrive

Your child’s first tooth erupts between ages 6-12 months and the remainder of their 20 primary or “baby” teeth typically erupt by age 3. During this time, gums may feel tender and sore, causing your child to feel irritable. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is preventable. Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for several reasons. Many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits or not properly supervised by an adult. Parents need to brush their children's teeth for them to at least age 6, possibly longer. Children also frequently eat and drink substances with high sugar content like milk, juice, candy, soda. This can lead to rampant decay very quickly in the primary dentition. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.

Your child should visit the dentist every 6 months for regular dental checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleaning to keep teeth their strongest. Sealants also help prevent tooth decay on the chewing surface of teeth. Your dentist will recommend which teeth and what age sealants can be beneficial.