Babies usually begin to start teething between 4 and 6 months old. Some may start sooner than that or some may be a bit later – it really just depends on the child. But one thing is for certain, no matter when you start seeing your little one’s teeth break through, you want to do everything you can to make sure they’re healthy.
So, when is the right time to make your baby’s first pediatric dental visit?
Spoiler alert – it’s probably earlier than you think.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, you should schedule your child’s first dental checkup after their first tooth appears or no later than his or her first birthday. It may sound early, but when you really think about it, it makes total sense.
Dental appointments early in life introduce your child to the idea of the dentist office so that as they get older, they’ll be more comfortable with regular checkups. We want you and your children to be totally comfortable with our staff and their checkup. One way to take some of the “scary” away is by helping them get used to the process.
Early pediatric dental checkups also give the pediatric dentist a chance to do a quick exam that will ensure your child has good oral hygiene and isn’t at risk for decay or discoloration. They’ll check your child’s gums, jaw and bite and keep an eye out for any other problems that may affect teeth or speech patterns.
And dental visits for your baby also give you a chance to ask the dentist all your questions about how to care for your child’s mouth when they’re young. We’re all about helping form healthy habits, so come prepared with a list of questions about basic kid’s dental care if you’d like! Our dentists can help you with everything from brushing tips to toothpaste recommendations.
At Pediatric Dentistry of Shreveport – Bossier, you can be confident that we will do everything we can to set your baby on the right path towards healthy teeth and happy smiles throughout his or her life.
To schedule an appointment please call our office at 318-742-9333.
