When Should I Bring My Child To The Dentist?

One question that we are often asked is, “When should my kid go to the dentist?” Our answer: as soon as they have teeth! Babies typically get their first teeth between the age of 6 months and 1 year. It may seem a little unusual to do a check-up on a baby or toddler, but we love to see our littlest patients as early as we can in order to set them up for the best possible dental health for life. Similar to having regular visits with the pediatrician, we can help parents and kiddos learn what to expect for their dental health and growth and get them acquainted with our office and friendly dental staff. 

Did you know that tooth decay is the single most common childhood disease? It’s 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever! By bringing your child to the dentist early in life, you can help prevent your child from becoming one of the statistics. 

Before we became parents ourselves, we wondered how cooperative little girls and boys might be. As we had each of our three kids, it was clear that it might be simple, or it might be a challenge! Whatever the case, we’re happy to treat all of our patients with the same care and attention that we give our own kiddos. 

By helping them become familiar with our dental environment, new people, and all the interesting sights and sounds of a dental office, kiddos can become more comfortable with going to the dentist if and when they need more extensive treatment. Bringing your child to the dentist at an early age can also help us detect situations that might cause problems in the future, impacting orthodontic treatment or potential cavities. 

What might a child’s first visit look like? Depending on the child and their personality, we can show them around our office and introduce them to our friendly staff. They can check out our reclining dental chair, we’ll try to examine their teeth, and we’ll give mom and dad guidance for brushing those tiny pearly whites! And if you’re wondering, “When should I start brushing my kid’s teeth?” The answer is the same: as soon as they have teeth! 

If your child has teeth that have erupted, don’t wait. Schedule your appointment at our Casa Grande office now by calling (520) 836-9685.