Infant dental care is a critical aspect of early childhood health that sets the foundation for a lifetime of good oral hygiene. There are many reasons why experts recommend that children have their first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in.

1. Early dental visits allow your child to become familiar with the sights, sounds, and friendly faces at the dental office. A positive, stress-free experience will help them feel safe and comfortable instead of developing fear or anxiety about dental care.

2. Early visits allow you to establish a dental home, so you know exactly where to go in case of emergency. (We are on-call for emergencies!)

3. Our pediatric dentists can provide expert guidance on teething, nutrition, and habits like thumb-sucking. And of course, our favorite topic: developing excellent oral hygiene habits to encourage healthy teeth and gums as the child grows.

4. It is important to have a full exam of overall oral health including the teeth, gums, jaw, and oral tissues, to monitor growth and development over time. We can help identify and treat tongue-ties and lip-ties, which can cause issues related to breastfeeding and speech development.

5. Early visits help to prevent the most common chronic disease affecting children: tooth decay! More than 21% of American children between the ages of 2 and 5 already have cavities by the time they see a dentist. Research shows that, for each year past a child’s first birthday without a dental appointment, the child’s chances of getting tooth decay nearly doubles.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Our doctors and team utilize gentle approaches to evaluate your child’s oral health. We focus on creating a comfortable experience while offering personalized recommendations tailored to your child’s unique needs. We are here to support your child’s healthy smile from the very beginning.

Sometimes, we will recommend a “knee-to-knee” exam, in which the patient’s head is laid back into a chair or onto the doctor’s knees, while the parent secures their arms and legs and helps comfort their child.

Learn more about what to expect at your child’s first dental visit.

Starting dental visits early prevents tooth decay, avoids pain, reduces dental-related costs, and prepares kids for a lifetime of healthy smiles!

Contact us for details about a complimentary Baby’s First Smile Visit for new patients under 24 months old!