When should parents take their children for their first check up?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends that a child visit the dentist six months after the first tooth erupts, or on his or her first birthday. However, it is usual for a child to see a dentist when they are about three years old, when they have all their baby teeth and are able to sit in the dentist chair.

Children will usually have their first tooth erupt by the time they are one year old. So parents should take him or her to see a pediatric dentist at this time. The primary aim of the first dental visit is to actually educate the parents on how to supervise their child’s oral health and cleanliness. Various studies show escalating problem of kids below the age of three suffering from multiple dental cavities. Some figures even reveal that approximately 40 percent of all children in America are prone to have tooth decay by the time they turn five.

An early visit to the dentist ensures that your child is on the right track to receive preventive dental care. Children love sweets and the sugar content in the sweets is likely to become stuck in and around their baby teeth. Failing to clean their teeth will result in multiple cavities. Therefore, it is very important for parents to understand and listen to the advice and suggestions of pediatric dentists.

A child’s first visit to the dentist can be quite a challenge for the parents. It’s usually a routine check up to observe the level of oral hygiene. By the time your child has had all his or her baby teeth grow in, it is essential to keep these teeth clean. However, if you see or suspect anything out of the ordinary, even prior to the eruption of baby teeth, make sure to see your dentist right away.

Products with the natural sweetner, Xylitol, seem to be beneificial inpreventing childhood cavities. Xylitol can be found in special mouthrinses, toothpaste, and even great tasting suckers.

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