When Should Children Start Seeing a Dentist?
Kids Should Start Seeing A Dentist Around Their First Birthday
If you’re a new parent, taking your child to the dentist may be the last thing on your mind. But even for infants and toddlers, proper dental care is important to support overall health.
The standard recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is that kids see the dentist when their first tooth comes out, or when they turn one year old. Why should your child see the dentist so early? There are a few reasons. First, you can learn more about how to care for their mouth and make sure you’re protecting them against cavities and other issues.
Seeing the dentist regularly from an early age also helps your child develop a relationship with the dentist, and cultivates a healthy attitude toward dental care. This can reduce the risk of your child developing dental anxiety in the future.
Finally, choosing a “dental family” like Redwood Smiles lets your child’s dentist become familiar with their own unique oral health challenges, identify oral development issues, develop a personalized care plan and ensures that you are fully informed about their oral health.
Oral Health Tips For Your Infant Or Toddler
Do you have questions about keeping your child’s mouth healthy? Here are a few oral health tips!
Sippy cups vs. bottles – You should switch your child from bottles to sippy cups as soon as you can. Continuing to use baby bottles after the age of 3 can contribute to bite issues and other oral health problems. Sippy cups promote a healthier swallow and better overall oral health.
Caring for teeth between dental visits – Brush your child’s teeth with a soft baby toothbrush at least twice a day. Use fluoride toothpaste, and put a smear about the size of a grain of rice on the toothpaste. When your child knows how to spit on command and will not swallow the toothpaste, you can use a pea-sized blob of toothpaste.
Gum care – Gently brush your child’s gums with a toothbrush during every cleaning. If your child does not yet have any teeth, you can wipe them down with a clean cloth.
Teething – Most kids get their first tooth before they’re 1 year old, and get all their baby teeth before the age of 3. However, every child is different!
Remember, the Team at Redwood Smiles can provide you with more information about all of these topics and more at your little one’s first appointment, so contact us now to get started!
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