My daughter just turned 1 last Sunday. On Super Bowl Sunday, no less. So she'll officially be 2 in 7 years when the next game lands on the birthday. So the talk of the week was about kids and how they grow up. A friend of mine asked me how old should her kids be for their first visit to the dentist. "I read an article that said 'as soon as they show signs of their first teeth, make an appointment,' " she said. "Is that really true?"
The answer is: yes and no.
There have been a few articles by the American Association of Pediatric Dentists and news companies over the past several years that encourage a first dental visit by age 1. But they have sparked controversy. It is true that there are a number of teeth that have erupted for kids by age 1, and those teeth are at risk for decay and gum infections. In fact, bottle decay is common among toddlers and preschool-age kids, and a dental visit early on can inform parents about how to minimize those risks as well as learn other things--like the best use of fluoride for their young ones.
I feel the most important concept for kids' dental visits that has reemerged recently is one about the dental home. If you can bring your kids into a dental practice, and introduce them to the dental family of the dentist, hygienist, assistants, and administrative staff early in life, they will generate familiarity with your children, and develop a real sense of a "second home." This will make it easier to instill good oral hygiene habits for them as well as healthy ideas about nutrition.
Even though it is essential to help your kids find a dental home, it is also important that you make a dental visit at an age where your child can be comfortable with new acquaintances--in other words, don't force a dental visit if they can't interact with the dental family, at least when accompanied by you as the parent. That age can vary from child to child.
Above all, we encourage just meeting kids at any age. If we can start a positive relationship in any way, we would be happy to do it! Call us today to set up an appointment for your kids to tour the office, take a ride in the dental chair, or, hey, what the heck--get their teeth cleaned.
