When Should I Take My Child To The Dentist?
When your child grows their first tooth, it can be exciting, but also a little scary. Looking after teeth is a big responsibility—thankfully, a dentist can help you out. As your child ages, there are several key times in their childhood that you should take them into the dental office. The takeaway here is to start early so that healthy habits form at a young age. Your child’s first dental visit may need to be earlier than you think.
What is the best age for a child’s first visit?
Most babies start growing primary teeth at around 6 months of age. According to The American Dental Association, a child’s first dental visit should take place six months after the first tooth erupts. You should definitely take them in before their first birthday.
If your child begins to show signs of stress or anxiety about going to the dentist, bring along their favorite toy or doll. You can also play relaxing music during the car ride to the office. One way to normalize the experience of visiting the dentist is to bring your child along with you for your cleanings. They’ll become used to the office and the staff there, and may enjoy the picture books and TV in the waiting room.
The first few dental visits are not like the regular cleanings that adults are familiar with. During the first appointment, the dentist usually inspects their mouth without using tools or brushes. They can share important information with you about proper brushing, low-sugar diets, and the best ways to prevent cavities. With subsequent visits, more steps are introduced to dental check-ups. It’s not until the child is over 3 years of age that they start having typical cleanings. As they age, X-rays are taken to spot tooth decay or issues with permanent teeth; this tends to be after the child is 5 years old.
If your child experiences any tooth pain, sensitivity, or loss of feeling in a tooth, make sure to schedule an appointment with their dentist ASAP.
How often should I take my child to the dentist?
The oral health of children should be treated the same as adults; kids should see their dentist twice a year. This allows the dentist to detect issues like cavities early and treat them quickly, halting tooth decay in its tracks. If your child’s molars are decaying, the dentist can apply a sealant; it’s a plastic resin that protects teeth from plaque and bacteria. Dentistry for children helps keep your child’s teeth healthy, saving them from a possibly uncomfortable dental procedure.
Some children experience anxiety at the dentist’s office, especially as they get older. You can search for TV episodes or movies about dental check-ups, which can make the idea less scary in their minds. It might be helpful to reward them for their good behavior at the dentist—offer to buy them a toy if they go to the dentist and have no cavities. Another tip is to schedule the visit at a good time of day; kids tend to have more energy in the morning, but get crankier as the day goes on.
When your child is around 12 years of age, their permanent teeth will start coming in. At this point, it becomes even more important to schedule regular dental appointments. When baby teeth are decayed, you know that they’ll fall out eventually—but adult teeth are meant to last a lifetime.
When should I address concerns about crooked teeth?
As your child ages, you don’t want them to feel embarrassed about crooked teeth. It’s difficult to tell what treatment is needed when your kid still has their baby teeth—when adult teeth grow in, they might be straighter. Regardless, you want to know when it’s time to see the orthodontist and talk about braces. When you take your child to the dentist, they typically recommend an orthodontic evaluation around 7 years of age.
What can I do to make my child’s dental visit go smoothly?
You can make sure they eat a healthy, balanced diet. Watch for foods to avoid for healthy gums. A few examples are soda, sugary juices, and hard or chewy candies. Instead, give them fruit; it helps clean teeth due to its fibers. Never send your child to bed with a bottle of juice—it allows sugar to sit on teeth and erode them while they sleep.
It’s a good idea to purchase fluoride toothpaste for your child; this will help protect their teeth against bacteria and decay. Make sure that your child’s toothpaste has soft bristles because bushing too firmly can cause gum recession. An electric toothbrush is another option in supporting the oral health of your child.
Finally, your child needs a good grasp of the basics. This means brushing twice a day and flossing at least once. When they are toddlers, they will need your help to brush their teeth twice a day. You can allow them to brush their own teeth once they are older than 7. Flossing is more difficult for children; you’ll have to assist them with that for a while, or purchase floss picks to make it easier.
Taking your child to the dentist is rarely a fun task. It often involves a bit of kicking, screaming, and even a tantrum. But our teeth are important tools that we rely on for our whole lives, which makes taking care of them a necessary chore. It’s not always easy to bring your child to the dentist, no matter what age they are. One thing remains true: it’s easier than getting them to relax for a filling, which involves needles and drilling.