Many first-time parents mistakenly believe that the right time to bring their child to see the dentist is when the first tooth erupts. This is a natural assumption since dentists take care of teeth, right? However, waiting for the appearance of the first tooth is a mistake. That may not even happen until the child is two years old or older. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a much earlier visit to the dentist.
When is the Right Time For our Child’s First Dentist Visit?
Officially, you should bring your child to the dentist at the first sign of the first tooth, but no later than one year old. Don’t wait until the tooth is grown in. The thing is, gum problems can actually lead to poor teeth development below the gum line before the teeth have come in. When you bring your child to the dentist before the first tooth has fully grown in, the dentist can evaluate the health of the gums and proactively treat any issues before they become serious.
Do I Have to Use a Pediatric Dentist?
You don’t necessarily have to bring your child to a pediatric dentist. Any professional dentist is able to work on your child’s oral health. If you have a family dentist that you know and trust, there’s no reason you can’t bring your young child to the same dentist.
What Are The Dangers of Not Bring My Child in Soon Enough?
As mentioned, issues can develop below the gum line that can negatively impact your child’s teeth and gum health. One of the dangers of not bringing your child in soon enough is that minor issues can develop into major issues. The longer you wait to bring your child in, the higher the chances that a very serious problem could develop.
Another big benefit of bringing your child to the dentist early is that they will have a chance to get used to going to the dentist. As you know, good oral health means regular visits to the dentist. The earlier you can start building good dental health habits in your child, the better off they’ll be.