When to Visit a Pediatric Dentist?

Your child’s first visit to a dentist might be earlier than you expect it to be. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry emphasizes early intervention in a child’s oral care and suggests the first dental visit no later than age one. However, many experts recommend that a child visit a dentist at the first sign of tooth eruption. For instance, this children's dentist in Vienna comes highly recommended and is reputable for treating children.

Subsequently, you should set a schedule plan for your child unless there is any sign of a dental problem. By age three, your child will have full regular appointments with the dentist. Some doctors prefer X-rays taken at the age of five to study the development of the secondary teeth. So, by that age, your kid gets a fair idea about what to do at an emergency dental care center in Pearl City.


Blame it on our current lifestyle and easy access to junk eating; it becomes necessary to keep updated with the pediatric dentist regularly. So often, we assume that our young one’s teeth do not require special attention. The tooth decay in children, however, is on the rise. In such cases, your doctor ensures these problems are sorted initially. Afterward, he might recommend a pediatric dental crown that keeps the remaining tooth intact.

Why does my child need a dentist visit even when there is no real problem?

Many people have a common misconception that their child does not require a dental visit unless there is a visible sign of teething or perhaps, some dental issues. However, the first visit to a dentist is to get your child accustomed to dental care. It is all about introducing them to the environment in a friendly, non-threatening way.

Sometimes, doctors let the parents wait in the reception area to have a friendly conversation and build a rapport with the child. On the first visit, your dentist might let your child explore the hospital setting and get them accustomed to the dentistry chair. Some pediatric clinics have a kid's area, allowing your child to play around for a while, removing their initial hitch.

If there is no real issue, your dentist will still check the gums, teeth, and jaw, making sure that there are no signs of early dental caries. This is an appropriate time to check for other teeth troubles caused by bottle-feeding. Henceforth, your doctor will advise periodic supervision in the later stages. 

What things should I discuss on our first visit?

There is a fair chance of tooth problems being acquired as early as the first year. Therefore, primary teeth care is extremely important for your child. You can wave off any major dental problem with proper assessment and care. Given our lifestyle and eating habits, instilling an age-specific dental care routine for your child becomes necessary.

While you should encourage your child to get acquainted with the doctor, it is also an appropriate time for you to pop in some of your queries. On your child’s first visit to a dentist, you might want to include some suggestions and guidance on matters like, 

How do you develop a good oral care routine for the initial stages of a child?

• When to start brushing?
• A proper chewing technique.
• You can ask for suggestions regarding formulating a balanced nutrition guide for healthy teeth.
• What kinds of food to avoid?
• What are the growth and developmental milestones?
• Check up schedules and follow up routines.
• How can I prepare my child for their first visit?

A child’s perception of dental care depends on their experience on their visit to the dentist's clinic. Their initial visits can be calming or difficult, thus making them relaxed or stressed for future encounters with the doctor. How you prepare your child for this experience has a key role in this equation. A child’s fear around a hospital environment is natural, so letting them calm down the initial jitters by familiarizing them with the surroundings can be a good idea. Introducing the doctor as a friend and giving them a chance to have a small chit-chat can help them make a healthy bond.

Related post: Should Children be Sedated for Dentistry?

Not having to fuss around dental visits will help your child comprehend a pediatric visit as a normal activity. Some friendly interaction with hospital staff will also take the pressure off their shoulders. Building a family clinic by the age of one, as recommended by the ADA, this website might help.

Before the Adult teeth show up. 

Shedding off the primary teeth is crucial for your young ones. Dentists recommend having their X-rays taken by that time. For some children with a higher risk of dental problems, the X-rays might take place earlier than that. As adult teeth start to appear by the age of 6, a pediatric dentist visit becomes necessary for a couple of reasons.

• To wave off any shedding challenge that your kid might be facing.
• Type and choice of toothpaste (fluoride/non-fluoride based) and toothbrushes you should buy.
• To anticipate any bite problems, if any.
• To keep a teeth count.
• To care for the spacing of new teeth set.

To take care of special hygiene needs at this stage.

You, along with your pediatric dentist, can build a safety net for your little one. Sooner or later, it is essential to get your child familiar with the environment of a dental clinic, starting them early, will habituate them to it. A dental care routine is something that needs to be built upon, like other healthy habits. A hassle-free, regular pediatric dentist visit will ensure a healthy smile for your child.