Many American children don’t see their family dentist until they are well over 2 years old, which is far later than recommended by professionals. Dr. Matt Corbin supports following The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommendation to have your child’s first dentist visit before their first birthday.
Getting your child to the dentist before their first birthday not only ensures those first teeth are growing in as they should, but it also introduces your child to the dentist to help build their confidence and trust in future appointments. It’s also great to bring small children along with older siblings that are comfortable in the dental chair.
The first dental appointment is also just as important for parents, as they get a chance to talk to the dentist about oral health care for children, nutrition, and fluoride and how it plays into the overall health of your child’s teeth. The risk for tooth decay begins as soon as teeth begin to erupt. Having a dentist examine your child’s teeth early on can help prevent any issues from arising or correcting small problems before they become bigger ones.
Children begin to lose their primary or “baby” teeth around 6 years old, however, they typically don’t lose all of them until 11 or 12 years of age. Failing to properly take care of primary teeth at the early stages can result in overcrowding problems with adult teeth or other functional issues.
Call Corbin Dental in Franklin, NC today to set up your child’s first dental visit.
