It’s a popular question we hear time and time again.
The answer is surprisingly simple – your child’s first visit to the dentist should occur by age 1, or within 6 months of eruption of the first tooth.
This practice is supported by the Canadian Dental Association as the best way to prevent/reduce early cavities in children. While children’s oral health has improved significantly in the past few decades, many children are still getting cavities at a young age, and in severe cases, it may lead to treatment under general anesthesia. In fact, a report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information states that dental surgery to treat these early cavities accounts for about one-third of all day surgery for preschoolers.
Parents may think one year is too early to bring in their little ones, but good habits start early and good oral health will impact the overall health of your child for the rest of their lives.
To start the journey off right, we work with you to help get your child used to the idea of coming into our office. We’ll try to keep everything short, sweet, and fun so that your child’s first visit to the dentist is a positive experience.
Don’t worry, we also know that the dentist can be scary the first few times, so even if we can’t get a look at your child’s teeth the day you bring them in, it’s still a great opportunity to make sure mom and dad are doing the right things at home. We provide parents with tips on how to properly brush teeth and gums and understand which foods and drinks are good for children’s new teeth.
Make an appointment with us today and get your child off to a strong start!