When should you take your child to the dentist for the first time? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends making the appointment around a year old. This is because studies show a little over a quarter of children under four years old have cavities. To avoid these figures, your child should see a pediatric dentist in Cabot AR and start oral hygiene at an early age. In fact, this should be done even before the first tooth appears.
Visit the dentist by their 1st birthday
Years ago, the recommendation was that pediatricians would perform a child’s first dental checkup when all primary teeth (which consists of 20 teeth) were in. This meant that the first visit to the dentist did not come until the child was about three years of age. However, the presence of cavities, along with the emergence of other problems, forced dental professionals to change the recommendation to 12 months. After the first review, certain controls should be performed and, if all goes well, your child should only have to come back to the dentist twice a year.
The first visit to the dentist
The professional will review your child’s teeth and gums. This will allow them to see if there are baby bottle tooth decay, and potential problems, such as cross bite, open growth, etc. These issues will be assessed and, the dentist will begin an overview of dental and medical history of the child. This is the time to correct bad habits, introducing good cleaning and eating habits. When the time comes to go to the dentist, parents should strive to give their child a sense of confidence and security. It is necessary that the child and the dentist have a good relationship. This will help alleviate any fears or worries.
Even before the first tooth appears, proper gum and teeth cleaning should be performed after each meal. To do this, you can use a wet gauze. When teething begins, uses a brush, without toothpaste, until age two. And remember, to prevent cavities, do not leave your child alone with a bottle in their mouth for a prolonged amount of time. For more information on how you can improve the oral health of your child, contact your local pediatric dentist in Cabot AR today.