Q: At what age should my children first see a dentist?

A: Children should first see the dentist at 18-24 months. One very important (and often overlooked) reason for this recommendation is so that we can educate the parents about the child¹s dental health. At this young age, it is quite simple to recognize and take steps to prevent future problems. We check to make sure all the primary (baby) teeth are present and cavity-free. Even though a child will lose his or her primary teeth, they are still very important to dental development. Early loss of baby teeth due to decay can cause problems with the bite, causing a need for orthodontics in the future. One more reason for an early dental visit is simply to help your child become accustomed to the dental office and to start forming good habits.

We treat children who need permanent tooth restorations, replacement of missing teeth, or who have most of their permanent teeth. We generally refer children below the age of four to a pediatric dentist. We encourage you to use us as a resource and ask us for the names of pediatric dentists we recommend. Regardless of your child¹s needs, we encourage you introduce your child to the dentist around the age of 18 months.


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