Parents are often unsure about when
to take their child to a dentist. Should you wait until all of his teeth have
come in, or perhaps until there is a real problem? Experts say no. The American
Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend
that a child's first visit should be when the first tooth erupts in the mouth,
no later than age one to two.
When babies are born, they usually have 20 primary teeth that have partly formed inside the gums. The front two upper and lower teeth usually begin to erupt when the child is between six and 12 months old. Most children have a set of 20 primary teeth in their mouths by the time they are age three. Tooth decay can start as early as the first tooth eruption. You may wonder why you should worry about decay in baby teeth, since they will be replaced by permanent teeth. The problem is that decay in primary teeth could mean a higher risk of decay in the permanent teeth. And if decay is severe, it can harm your child's overall health.
Additionally, according to the AAPD, it is very important to keep primary teeth in place until they are lost naturally. The primary teeth are important for many reasons including:
- Helping children chew properly to maintain good nutrition.
- Involvement in speech development.
- Helping save space for permanent teeth.
- Promoting a healthy smile that helps children feel good about the way they look.
Today we had a very special guest
visit us and discuss the importance of dental health, hygiene, brushing, and
flossing. All of our friends were so excited to use the giant toothbrush and
even get their own brand new brush.
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time and floss once a day. Visit your dentist twice per year! And remember they're never too young for proper dental health and hygiene!
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