Your Child's Oral Health
Your child’s first dental visit can take place as early as the first tooth appears through the gum. How do you know when this will take place?
- The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth, approximately 6-8 months of age.
- Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth
- All the other teeth will appear periodically and usually in pairs along the jaw until the child is about 2 ½ years old. At this time they will have their first 20 teeth.
- Between the ages of 5 and 6 the first permanent teeth will appear. Some permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some do not.
It is important to remember that the dental health of baby teeth is very important as they not only hold space for permanent teeth but they are important for chewing, biting, speech and appearance.
What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?
We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child’s reaction to his or her first visit to the dentist may surprise you. Here are some “First Visit” tips:
- Take your child for a “preview” or online tour of our office.
- Read books with them about going to the dentist.
- Review our online educational software module created specially for children.
- Speak positively about your own dental experience.
This first visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask that you sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. The dentist will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-Rays may be taken (to reveal decay or to check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums.)
When will my child need to schedule regular dental visits?
As children begin to grow and completely develop their first primary teeth, we will clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will also determine if your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home and begin to schedule for regular recare visits. And most importantly, we will review with you how to help clean and care for your child’s teeth.