There are so many milestones in the first year of a baby’s life. Crawling, walking, talking – while these are some of the most exciting things to happen in the first 12 months, did you also know that another milestone parents need to be aware of is when their child should visit the dentist?
Important Ages To Visit The Dentist
The Canadian Dental Association recommends children first visit the dentist within six months of their first tooth eruption. In most cases, this means around one year of age. This enables the dentist to establish a foundation for dental care, answer any questions parents have have about oral development and educate parents about the importance of baby teeth.
Common questions that parents like to address at their child’s first visit include:
- Proper use of fluoride
- Pacifier use or finger or thumb sucking
- Teething
- Diet and the connection to oral health
- Caring for infant and toddler teeth
The next critical age is four years old. At this time, the dentist can start discussing plans to correct bad habits such as sucking thumbs or chewing on fingers. Your dentist can also work with parents to make sure that the child is getting enough fluoride. Fluoride is important for the development of healthy teeth and prevents early tooth decay. The use of fluoride can also keep new cavities from forming.
By age seven, a child’s first molars should have erupted. These new teeth mean that your child will now have a back bite. A dentist can properly evaluate the front to back and side to side relationship between the teeth and detect future dental problems.
Smile Town Dental Group focuses on providing a fun and friendly atmosphere that will put your children at ease, even when in the dentist’s chair. We have specific programs that match the age of each child and will take great care of their teeth while educating them on the importance of good oral health. To book your child’s appointment, please call our office at 289-235-9292.