Your baby’s first year of life is full of firsts. The first laugh, first word, and maybe even a few first steps. During this precious stage of development, you also need to schedule your child’s first dental appointment. To ensure optimal health and well-being, it’s time to head to a trusted pediatric dentist as soon as your baby’s first tooth emerges. Don’t wait until all your little one’s teeth grow in — and never prolong the visit until there’s a real problem. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your baby’s first dental visit should always occur before the age of 12 months.

Pediatric Dentistry: The First Visit

Early Is Imperative

Even if your baby’s mouth mostly consists of gums, your dentist can gently assess their oral health. Quality dental care begins even before the first tooth emerges, with regular cleaning to remove cavity and gum-disease-causing bacteria. Your dentist will check to see the gums, jaw, and bite appear healthy, which will ensure primary teeth emerge without any issues. The pediatric dentist will also inspect for bottle caries, frenum problems, and any other issue that may impact teeth development or speech.

Healthy Habits Start Young

During this visit, your pediatric dentist will also teach you how to properly care for your child’s teeth. Even though baby teeth will eventually fall out, their health still plays a fundamental role in the development of permanent teeth.

This visit will also help your child warm up to the dentist. Select a dentist who specializes in pediatrics, which means they have additional training in the oral care of children. A quality dentist will help your child feel comfortable in the dental chair, making future visits a breeze. Since oral habits start early on, it’s important to help your little one build positive associations with the dentist today.

For a healthy, smiling baby, consult Kodiak, AK’s trusted pediatric dentistry. The caring team from BridgeView Dental Group specializes in dental and orthodontic treatment for children like yours. To schedule an appointment, call today at (907) 486-3257. You may also visit the pediatric and emergency dentistry online.