Your child’s dental needs are important, even before their adult teeth have arrived. When you bring your child in for regular dental visits at a young age, you can help them recognize how important it is to care for their teeth and gums. Early visits can be especially helpful for making them at ease when they see their dentist; they should have their first visit around six months after their first primary teeth arrive. When children understand how – and why – they need to take care of their smiles, they can lower their risk for problems that call for restorative dental work.
In many ways, your child’s visits with the dentist will be similar to the regular dental checkups you enjoy. Your dentist will make a close inspection of their teeth and gums, to look for any signs of cavities, or gum disease. Their teeth will also undergo a careful cleaning. However, these appointments with children are also an opportunity for your dentist to instruct them on how to properly care for their teeth at home, and to teach them about why this level of care is so important.
Fluoride treatments and dental sealants can both reduce the cavity risk your child faces. Fluoride treatments support healthy teeth by encouraging faster enamel recovery when decay starts to form. Sealants act like barricades that keep bacteria and food debris off of your child’s teeth. Sealants are typically placed after your child’s adult molars have arrived.