When Should You Bring Your Baby To The Dentist

“When am I supposed to bring my baby to the dentist for the first time?”

If you’re asking yourself this question, rest assured, you’re not alone. You also don’t have to guess. There’s a lot of advice out there. We’re about to cut through the clutter for you.

A recent survey actually found that half of parents with kids aged 5 and younger never received a medical professional’s advice on when to start dental care for their child. In that group, 1 in 6 thought a child’s first visit should occur after age four.

We think this is much too late. By that time problems may have already reared their ugly head. So why wait?

At Quince Orchard Dental Care we think you should bring your baby to the dentist when your child’s first tooth erupts. (Usually, primary teeth start to grow in at about 6 months old.)

Okay, we know you’re thinking. Of course we’d say that, we’re dentists and love to look at that first shiny new tooth in its prime before grandma has her way with candy and cookies. That’s true. But there’s also lots of evidence and research to back us up.

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend parents bring their child to the dentist once the first tooth pops. And, definitely no later than two-years-old. They don’t advise that parents wait until all their baby’s teeth come in or worse until there is a problem.

We want to get a look at that tooth early so we can start healthy dental care right at the beginning.

Not that we’re going to be doing any serious dental work at this point. The main idea is to get your child used to the dentist office and everything that comes with it. Maybe even take a fun ride in the chair. A visit to the dentist early can help avoid any fear that might come later on. Why wait until your child has a toothache before you see a dentist? Let’s start building trust right away, letting your child know how friendly and helpful a dentist can be.

Other benefits of early intervention for dental health include:

• Monitoring for speech development issues
• Ensuring proper growth and health of primary teeth, critical to adult tooth development
• Maintaining a healthy bite
• Healthy smiles mean improved self-confidence

Baby’s first visit to the dentist is also about you. Yes, visiting a dental office is just as important for mom and dad as it is for baby. You might have your own fears and trepidations about how your child will react to the first office visit. Let’s get that out of the way in the most relaxed way possible. You might also have questions for the dentist about your budding biter’s new teeth. Bring them along to the visit so our doctors can address your concerns.

Click below or call us at +1 (301)-321-7482 today to schedule a consultation with Quince Orchard Dental Care. We can’t wait to meet you and your little one’s first tooth! 

Click Here