At What Age Should I Start Taking My Child to the Dentist?
Taking your child to the dentist should be a top priority for parents. However, one of the latest surveys reveals otherwise! Nearly 50 percent of surveyed parents with children under the age of 12 did not regularly take their kids to the dentist. This is shocking news, right? Would you believe that only 1 in 5 surveyed parents felt that their kids needed to see a dentist as soon as they developed baby teeth? Besides that, only 50 percent of fathers and 60 percent of mothers ensured that their kids observe proper dental care. This research explains why about 30 percent of children have already tooth decay and other complications by the age of five. That’s why you should visit somewhere like Collins Street Smiles dentist Melbourne, or a similar one wherever your location. They provide the best possible care for their patients and make sure they feel as comfortable as possible, especially vulnerable and shy children as going to the dentist for the first time can be a big scare for them at times.
Perhaps these parents are not to be blamed for the tooth decay that their children are experiencing because they did not know when they should start taking their kids to the dentist. Well, this has been one of the concerns for many parents, and this article reveals what you need to know about dental care for your young child.
Their first dental checkup
Ideally, your child should be taken to a Dentist right around the time of his first birthday. In other words, at age 1 or within 6 months after the sprouting of the first primary teeth, your child should visit the dentist for the first time. Most parents, however, take their children for a dental checkup when are about two and half years, which puts them in a big risk of plaque buildup or development of cavities. It is unfortunate that some parents fail to ensure their child’s teeth are checked by a dental expert like those at St Kilda Dentist services because they assume that baby teeth will ultimately fall out – which is a terrible mistake. It is important to note that your child’s permanent teeth develop under the primary teeth and it is essential to have a dentist check as early as age one.
The frequency of seeing a dentist
Parents are advised to take their children for regular dental checkups once every three to six months. While this is the recommended interval, you can always take your child to a dentist if a dental issue comes up in between that needs immediate attention and correction like teeth grinding, mouth breathing, or a lisp.
The expectation of a child’s earliest dentist appointments
During dentist appointments, a child will become familiar with the dental staff and dentist’s office in a non-threatening manner, which goes a long way in building their confidence. Secondly and the most important is that during this visit, the dentist will carry out a quick oral examination as he looks for tooth decay. The doctor will also check your child’s jaw, gums, and bite besides other dental problems that may affect speech or teeth alignment. The dentist will talk to you about good dental hygiene and give you a chance to ask questions about the oral health of your child. During this appointment, if any challenge is noted, it will be dealt with as soon as possible when your child is as young as one year!
Now you know when you should begin taking your kid for a dental checkup. As you have seen, it is at age one and then followed by a three to six month interval unless something else happens in between appointments. Good dental health is achieved when your child regularly visits a dentist beginning at a young age, so get those appointments scheduled!