When Should My Child Start Seeing a Pediatric Dentist?

One of the greatest milestones in parenting is when your baby cuts their first pearly white tooth. It's an exciting time for the entire family. Upon seeing the emergence of that first tooth, you’ll probably make a quick trip to the store to buy a soft toothbrush and baby toothpaste to properly care for the little gem. However, you may wonder if you should make an appointment to see a pediatric dentist.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages parents to make their baby’s first pediatric dentist appointment before their first birthday. At Grove Dental Group and Orthodontics in Wyomissing, PA, we specialize in pediatric dentistry. He and his team can help meet all of your child’s dental needs.

The ‘“age one” dental visit

Your child’s first dental visit is often referred to as the “age one dental visit” because it takes place right before or shortly after the child’s first birthday. The first pediatric appointment sets the framework for a lifetime of good oral health and preventive dental measures.

Early management techniques, such as the use of silver diamond fluoride (SDF) and fluoride varnish, all help to prevent cavities from developing in your baby’s new teeth.

Dental caries can plague a child as young as one and is considered the most common chronic disease that occurs in children. Sadly, as many as 50% of children will develop cavities in their primary teeth.

Early pediatric visits can prevent dental cavities. Many parents are surprised to learn that cavities can actually develop almost immediately after a child’s first tooth breaks through the gum.

Baby bottle tooth decay is a common occurrence in babies who drank sugary drinks in their sippy cups or bottles. Also, when your baby’s second tooth emerges, the child is more likely to develop decay between the teeth if you do not properly floss your youngster’s teeth.

The importance of baby teeth

Many parents fail to understand the importance of baby teeth. They think that the child’s baby teeth are only there for a short time before they are replaced with adult teeth. However, baby teeth play a critical role in your toddler’s development.

The primary teeth are what a child uses to learn to chew their food properly. They depend on small teeth to gain proper nutrition for growth. If a tooth or teeth are decayed and cause pain, then the child might avoid eating, which can lead to health issues.

A child’s primary teeth also help the child learn to talk correctly while supplying the needed facial structure of the face. Without teeth, the child’s speech might develop problems or not sound clear.

The baby teeth also aid the permanent teeth to develop in the bone correctly and emerge in place.

Schedule a pediatric appointment in Wyomissing, PA today

Contact the dental team at Grove Dental Group and Orthodontics to schedule your child’s first pediatric appointment. Our skilled team will help lay a successful lifelong foundation for your child’s ongoing oral health. They will examine your baby’s teeth and offer you tips on how to properly care for the emerging teeth. Contact our Wyomissing, PA office today to schedule a pediatric appointment.