When Should A Child First Visit the Dentist?

By Jessica Holmes, DDS

Potomac Pediatric Dentistry and Family Orthodontics

. https://ppdsmile.com/

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When Should A Child First Visit the Dentist?

The most commonly asked question from medical professionals and parents alike is When should a child first visit the dentist? Most are surprised that it is earlier than expected. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend that children be seen by a dentist within six months of eruption of the first tooth or 12 months of age, whichever comes first.

Most children don't see their dentist until they are well over two years old, far later than is recommended. If you begin taking your children to the dentist around the time their first tooth erupts, then they are perhaps too young to be nervous. However, if you wait until your child is older, he or she may have some anxiety during their first visit to the dentist.

Many people don't understand how important their children's baby teeth are to lifelong oral health. The first dentist visit is a great opportunity for parents to learn how best to care for their children's teeth as well as establishing a dental home. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.

Current research indicates that oral health in early childhood can have a profound effect on not just lifelong dental health but also school attendance, ability to concentrate in class, self-esteem, and susceptibility to infection. Therefore, it is recommended that a dentist see your child at the appropriate time.