As a parent, you are naturally concerned about your child’s dental health. One of the most common questions parents ask dentists is when should their child have their first dental appointment. Usually children should have their first dental appointment as soon as their baby teeth start coming in. At this point in their development, it’s important that your child’s teeth are adequately looked after to ensure that their teeth are growing properly. During this first visit, your child’s dentist will also look at the overall condition of your child’s gums and oral health. This will be a good indication of the likelihood of future issues.

How a Child’s Teeth Can Develop Problems

Humans will develop their first teeth within six to twelve months of being born. Unless your child is exhibiting signs that they have trouble swallowing, then a dentist appointment is not necessarily needed before the first tooth erupts through the gum line. That’s not to say that youngsters don’t have dental problems. Common teeth issues at this stage include tooth decay and baby teeth not falling out as they should, to make way for permanent teeth. Baby teeth cavities are not to be taken lightly, either. This is an indicator that the child’s dental hygiene isn’t as good as it could be. It’s also a sign that there may be too much sugar in the child’s diet.

How to Prevent Problems With Your Child’s Dental Health

Many parents ask the dentist how they can help prevent dental problems for their child. One of the best ways is to limit the consumption of sugary drinks. Remember that even though apple juice and orange juice have vitamins, there is also a considerable amount of naturally-occurring sugars in these beverages. Most dentists recommend not letting the child continually drink from a bottle of fruit juice.

At your child’s first dental appointment, talk to the dentist about ways in which you can help your child’s teeth and gums as healthy as possible. Your dentist will be able to offer many tips for keeping your child’s oral hygiene in top shape!