Are you wondering when your baby’s first dental visit should be? If you want to get them started on the right road to a lifetime of healthy teeth, it’s important to begin early. Good oral hygiene should start before the first tooth erupts and continue throughout a person’s life. With the right dental hygiene habits at home and regular visits to the dentist, permanent teeth can last for life. Tooth decay risk begins as soon as the first tooth erupts, so it’s very important not to delay proper home care or in office prevention.
When should my baby have their first dental appointment?
Ideally, your baby should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or about 6 months after the first tooth erupts. Baby teeth tend to come in at different times for different kids. Some babies will get teeth as early as 3 or 4 months of age. But most babies get their first tooth between the ages of 6 and 12 months. Even if your baby has no teeth showing by the time they are a year old, you should still make a dental appointment. Delayed tooth eruption is not a concern until your baby reaches 18 months or older, but an oral exam is still a good idea.
When should my baby have their first dental appointment?
The main purpose of your baby’s first visit to the dentist is to get used to the process of going to the dentist. The hygienist and dentist will examine your baby’s teeth and possibly clean them if the baby is comfortable with that. They will advise you on proper care for teeth and answer any questions you may have. We have a child under 3 generally sitting in a parents lap for their exam, most commonly called a knee to knee exam.
When should my baby have their first dental appointment?
Baby teeth are highly susceptible to cavities in the early months so it is important to start brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts. Before that you should clean your baby’s gums with a clean washcloth or soft bristled infant toothbrush. Some baby toothbrushes are made of soft rubber and designed to fit over your finger so that you can easily rub it over their gums and teeth without applying too much pressure. The stimulation of the brush on the gums can help to relieve teething pain.
Once the first baby tooth comes in you can brush it with a baby toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. We now recommend using a rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste as soon as a tooth erupts, not too much, we know children this age will swallow some of the toothpaste.
When should my baby have their first dental appointment?
When the time comes to visit the dentist for the first time, Augusta Pediatric Dentistry will be ready to welcome your baby. As a pediatric dentist, we have experience working with babies and children so we know how to make them feel at ease. We want to ensure your baby has a positive first impression of the dentist so that each visit after will be an enjoyable experience.
Call 207-622-0303 to make an appointment at our Augusta office. You can also request an appointment. We look forward to helping set the stage for a lifetime of good oral hygiene.