IS IT TIME FOR BABY’S FIRST DENTAL APPOINTMENT? SCHEDULE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER
As a new parent, every milestone your baby reaches is an exciting frontier. Their first smile, first laugh, and first word are all cause for celebration — and so is their first tooth! But did you know the glint of a tiny incisor is also a sign? It means it's time for your baby to see the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says children should have their first dental appointment before they turn 1, especially if your child's first tooth appears before their first birthday. Stanford Medicine advises making the appointment “within six months of the first tooth coming in.” Why so early? Well, think of the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The earlier your baby sees the dentist, the earlier the professionals can spot and prevent problems with their teeth.
possible to avoid these cavities with treatments like silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and fluoride varnish, and dentists can apply them if needed. They can also check for other issues, like baby teeth lodged in your child’s gums negatively impacting their adult teeth or signs their airway isn’t developing properly. Visiting the dentist can be stressful, but you shouldn’t worry about your child’s first visit. These appointments are typically quick, easy, and pain-free. As Stanford Medical Children’s Health explains it, “The first visit often lasts 30–45 minutes. Depending on your child's age, the visit may include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, your child may also have a gentle cleaning.” Not only will a one-year dental visit keep your child’s teeth and airway healthy (reducing their pain and dental expenses in the years to come), but it will also help them feel comfortable in the dental chair. In a world where 19% of people have “moderate to high” dental anxiety, this is almost as equally important for their long-term health!
Many parents don’t realize it, but 50% of children get early childhood caries (what the professionals call cavities) in their baby teeth. It’s
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