Maintaining strong, consistent oral health habits is crucial to long-term oral health. The earlier you commit to a robust oral health routine, the easier it is to maintain a beautiful smile and a strong, healthy bite.
Today, we’re exploring the role of childhood dental care in ensuring a lifetime of strong, healthy smiles!
When Should Kids First See a Dentist?
For many, a child’s first birthday seems a bit early for a dental appointment. However, scheduling your child’s first dental exam at this early stage is crucial, as it allows your dentist to assess the development of your baby’s gums, first teeth, and jawbone and address issues like teething and thumb-sucking.
When Should Kids Start Regularly Seeing a Dentist?
After their first visit, we just discussed — barring emergencies — your child shouldn’t have to see the dentist again until three or four years of age.
According to the American Dental Association, young children are susceptible to cavities when they have teeth. Over a third of kids between ages two and five get cavities in their baby teeth. In addition to being painful, this can also cause difficulty with biting, chewing, and speaking properly.
By scheduling regular dental appointments for your child by the age of four, you can ensure the preemptive and preventive care they need to avoid early cavities. Also, early dental visits provide another opportunity to address habits like thumb-sucking and to establish a relationship with their dentist and healthy habits to ensure a lifetime of strong, healthy smiles.
Another Vital Stage for Dental Development
By age seven (or thereabouts), when a child’s first molars erupt, it’s crucial to further evaluate gum and jawbone development. These visits allow for orthodontal exams to assess the health of all teeth, baby and permanent, and provide necessary preventative care.
A Caring and Compassionate Children's Dentist in Scarborough, ON
If you live in Scarborough and want an experienced dental team to guide your children through the crucial stages of early dental development, contact Dr. Youngwoo Joo and the caring and helpful Dentistry at Alton Towers team to schedule an appointment!