In a survey conducted in 2009, a large group of people were asked what age they should bring their children in to see a dentist for the first time. The average answer was 2.5 years old. This may seem like a logical answer. After all, before this age, children barely have any teeth, let alone enough to warrant a visit to the dentist.
It’s understandable why most parents would think that their child should have several teeth before taking them to the dentist. However, the truth is, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should make their first visit to the dentist by the age of 1 or at least within 6 months after their first tooth erupts. Most babies begin teething right around 6 months of age.
Some people would find it very strange that a child so young would need to see a dentist. They fail to see that starting at such a young age can actually help establish healthy routines that will eventually carry on to adulthood.
Most of us are not aware of just how important our primary or baby teeth are to our long-term oral health. These primary teeth play a more significant role than we realize in the following ways:
- Help children chew properly to maintain good nutrition
- Primary teeth play a role in speech development for small children
- Healthy primary teeth ensure permanent teeth grow in correctly
- Healthy teeth promotes a health smile that improves a child’s self-esteem
By bringing children in earlier rather than waiting until they are older, parents are also helping to establish a good relationship with the dentist, one that will dispel any future apprehension or stress. The last thing any dentist wants is to have a stressed out kid in their chair. If your child has been consistently coming to the dentist since they were very young, that apprehension goes away.
Regular visits also helps to educate both children and their parents on proper techniques for both brushing and flossing. This will improve the oral health for the baby and gives the parent the boost they need to reinforce these habits at home.
Parents often relent taking their kids to the dentist because they know what a jittery experience it can be. The good news is, a child who is 1 year of age is too young to be nervous about going to the dentist. Additionally, good dentists like Dr. Rhouhani, are able to quickly calm a child down and help them feel more at ease.
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If your baby has a new tooth, bring him or her down to see Dr. Rhouhani today for his or her first check up. Let’s establish that rapport now to help them avoid stress down the road. Call 480-951-2800 today to set up a consultation.
