When Should My Child See A Dentist
You’ve just had a beautiful new child born and, no doubt, are completely overwhelmed by all the things you have to do to shepherd this fledgling into the world with the greatest chance of success. You’ve got the right diapers, the right pediatrician, all the Baby Einstein Tapes you could find, and a wonderful nursery, what could possibly be left out? How about your baby’s dental care. That’s right, even your infant is in need of visiting the dentist, and Dr. Toyer at the Lifetime Dental Care Pediatric and Adult Dentistry clinic is an expert in the field of pediatric dentistry. If your child has had a tooth come through in the last six months, or is a year old and hasn’t seen their dentist yet, call and schedule an appointment.
Why Does My Child Need To See The Dentist If They Haven’t Got Teeth?
The development of baby teeth starts before they actually push through the gums, and their growth and health throughout their time with your child has been shown to be important to their long-term health. As their teeth come in you can work carefully with your pediatric dentist to ensure that they get the full benefit of chewing and digesting their food properly, as well as helping to develop healthy and natural speech patterns. Your baby’s teeth are important for more than just cosmetic purposes, and starting early ensures they can develop healthy oral care habits throughout their lives.
What Benefits Are There To Having My Child Visit Their Dentist In The First Year?
Let’s start with the psychological benefits. Dental office jitters are very real phenomena that are experienced by patients of all ages, especially the very young. The exception to this rule is those who have yet to learn the myth that dentists are something to fear. When you get your child started on a healthy oral care routine that includes regular dentist visits early, you’re setting them up for a lifetime free of dental jitters and a healthy relationship with their oral care and their dentist.
So When Should My Child See The Dentist For The First Time? How Do I Prepare?
Current wisdom suggests that your child should see their dentist for the first time within a year of being born, or within 6 months of their first tooth erupting. This ensures that they get an early start on dental care and your dentist has an opportunity to identify any possible concerns in time to help correct them. They also suggest bringing your child with you to an appointment prior to their own so they can see what a dentist visit is like and learn that there’s nothing to fear from your friendly mouth doctor.
If you’re ready to start your child’s dental health adventure, call Dr. April J. Toyer at the Lifetime Dental Care Pediatric and Adult Dentistry Clinic today. Setting up an appointment is the first step to seeing your child on their way to a future with bright, healthy teeth and a fearless relationship with their dentist.
April Toyer, DDS, FAAPD
The team at Lifetime Dental Care brings a full range of services to patients in and around the Woodbridge, VA area. These four doctors bring a range of experience, diverse backgrounds, and professional knowledge together to provide families with a safe and friendly home for their oral health needs.