You probably do not remember the first time you ever went to the dentist. In fact, the earliest memories most people have about their oral health tend to revolve around losing their baby teeth and hiding them under their pillows in hopes of a visit from the tooth fairy. With those memories so far back, you might not know when to start bringing your kids to the dentist. Different families also do different things. That said, the American Dental Association recommends that children see a pediatric dentist when they are either six months old or as soon as they start to have their first few teeth erupt through their gum lines. In this article, we will discuss the importance of early dental health visits and when to schedule them. If you have any questions about oral health for your kids or yourself, feel free to reach out to one of our team members.
Why Do Dentists Recommend Early Dental Appointments For Kids?
It may come as a shock to many parents that you are supposed to bring your child to the dentist when they are still a baby. The CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Dental Association all recommend that children see a dentist when they first start developing their teeth. There are a few reasons for this. First and foremost, like all pediatric visits, one goal of your pediatric dentist is to make sure your child’s oral health is developing on schedule. This is why the recommendation is either to go to the dentist as the first few teeth start to arrive or when your child is six months old. If your child does not have teeth coming in on schedule, your dentist can help let you know if there are any reasons your child is developing later.
Benefits of Seeing A Pediatric Dentist
A common mistake that some parents make is assuming that a child’s first set of teeth is not that important. First of all, your child will have those teeth for a few years, and while they won’t stick around for decades like their permanent teeth, they can still get cavities and have issues. Second, dental issues spread. Decay around the teeth doesn’t stop in that tooth. Decay can spread to infections beneath the gums that can lead to serious oral health issues in the future. Dental exams are built around preventing dental issues, detecting issues, and treating them. Like with all health visits, seeing a pediatric dentist can help ensure that your child stays healthy. Moreover, dental visits are also about education. Teaching your kids about their oral health can help them develop healthy habits.
Schedule Family Dental Visits in Chicago
Dental Town Chicago provides dental treatments to patients throughout Chicago at our twelve different offices. For more information, please give us a call.