February’s here, and it’s time again for the American Dental Association’s annual National Children's Dental Health Month. The month-long event was established to focus on the importance of managing children’s oral health care.
At Deep River Dentistry, we believe that it’s important to get your child’s oral health off to a good start with regular dental exams and preventive services. We are committed to providing dental treatments that protect your child’s oral health through routine care and prevention.
The question we hear most often is, “When should I schedule my child’s first visit?” We recommend that your child’s first exam takes place when the first baby tooth appears, but no later than age one.
The Importance Of Beginning Care Early On
Many parents question why it’s necessary to bring their child to see us at such an early age. After all, the baby tooth will be lost anyway, so what’s the point of starting dental visits when they’re so young?
Prevention is an important part of any dental treatment plan, and this is especially true for young children. The sooner we see your child, the better chance we have to monitor the development of their teeth and detect potential problems.
Protecting the health of your child’s baby teeth is critical because they are placeholders for permanent teeth already developing within the gums. Problems with the baby teeth at this stage can impact the development of your child’s permanent teeth.
Once your child reaches the age of two or three, they usually have all their baby teeth. At that point, we will start regular exams and recommend preventive treatments like fluoride and sealants as indicated.
These preventive treatments are necessary because the premature loss of a baby tooth can change the way the permanent teeth develop, potentially leading to crowding, misalignment, and the need for orthodontics.
In fact, we recommend that every child visit an orthodontist at seven or eight years of age for an evaluation and recommendations for a treatment plan as necessary. It is much easier for your child (and less costly for you) to catch alignment problems early before they become serious.
Establishing a routine of dental care when your child is young sets the stage for great oral health throughout their lives. At Deep River Dentistry, we strive to make each of your child’s visits to our office comfortable and enjoyable. Positive experiences with the dentist at an early age are the key to keeping them on the road to a lifetime of excellent oral health. Please contact our office today, and we will be happy to schedule a convenient appointment for your child’s dental exam.