As a parent, it’s helpful to understand the importance of early dental care.
Your little one might not have any teeth right now, but they will soon enough! Taking your child to the dentist early in life will help set your child up to have healthy teeth and gums later on. As a parent, it’s helpful to understand the importance of early pediatric dental care. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Early Dental Care?
There are many reasons to take your child to the dentist at an early age.
- Identify abnormalities. Some abnormalities with teeth and gums can manifest when the patient is as young as a year old. Identifying these abnormalities in the early stages makes treatment easier.
- Avoid early tooth decay. Tooth decay can begin when your child is just a few years old. If your child is going to the dentist, the dentist can stop the decay from spreading.
- Help your child adjust to the dentist early. Some children are afraid of the dentist, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Taking your child to the dentist from age one or two can help your child get used to the dentist, so they’ll feel more comfortable when they’re older.
- You’ll learn about tooth care. After examining your child’s mouth, the dentist will take time to answer questions you might have about tooth brushing and dental care.
- The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends it. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child to the dentist when their first tooth erupts, or when they reach one year of age, whichever is sooner.
Contact a Pediatric Dentist to Get Started
If your child is one year old or if your child’s first tooth has erupted from the gums, it’s time to make your child’s first appointment with the dentist. Work with a dentist who specializes in pediatric care to make the experience a positive one. Contact Potomac Pediatric Dentistry to make your child’s first appointment today.