A guide for parents on establishing important oral hygiene habits for children!
Who doesn’t love those first baby teeth breaking through tiny gums? It’s an exciting milestone confirming your bundle of joy is growing.
But those pearly whites require care too. So when should kids start visiting the dentist?
We’ll cover tips like finding the best dental clinic in Saskatoon to support your child’s dental development from infancy through the tween years.
Why Baby Teeth Matter
A child’s first set of teeth, though temporary, play a crucial role in functions like eating, speaking clearly, and supporting proper facial growth.
Decay and other issues can have lasting impacts.
Starting oral care early helps set your child up for healthy adult teeth too.
Don’t wait for problems to appear before making that first appointment. Check-ups help stop small issues from becoming big headaches down the road.
| Age Range | Dental Visit Recommendations |
| Under 1 year | Assess oral growth and development |
| 1-2 years | Help establish healthy habits |
| 3-5 years | Monitor primary teeth and treat minor issues |
| 6-12 years | Oversee losing baby teeth and permanent teeth growth |
Bringing infants and toddlers allows the dentist to evaluate oral development, and later to apply preventative treatments like fluoride and sealants to protect adult teeth underneath.
During ages 3-12, the dentist tracks primary teeth being replaced by permanent ones.
They can fix minor issues in baby teeth, helping avoid problems once adult counterparts emerge, in addition to adding protective barriers.
Baby Teeth Set the Stage for Adult Ones
A child’s first set plays pivotal roles that impact oral health long-term:
Enable Infants to Feed
The ability to latch onto the breast or bottle depends upon some bottom front teeth emerging around 6 months. More appear to facilitate chewing solids.
Allow Children to Speak Clearly
Teeth enable proper pronunciation of words once your little one starts talking. Certain letters become very hard to say without them!
Support Facial Growth
Jawbones grow as baby teeth push through gums and roots embed into them. This affects the configuration of permanent teeth and the profile of the face.
Save Space for Adult Teeth
Adult teeth develop under the gums where baby versions reside. If lost prematurely, others may tilt into newly open spaces incorrectly.
Predict Potential Issues Later
Pediatric dentists can analyze primary teeth conditions to foresee problems that may impact permanent versions coming in underneath them.
Given such critical impacts, parents must help tiny teeth stay healthy or consequences can follow.
Tooth Decay Creates Lasting Effects
Tooth decay occurs when plaque bacteria on teeth produce acids that deteriorate enamel. Sugary food remnants further fuel acidity. It’s the main culprit behind cavities.
Tooth decay affects more toddlers today than any other chronic illness. If neglected, it brings serious woes like:
- Painful abscesses requiring extraction
- Speech struggles from missing teeth
- Misaligned bites needing braces down the road
Plus, kids losing primary teeth early risk permanent versions erupting out of position. Crooked teeth often demand extensive orthodontic correction.
Such comprehensive repairs cost parents far more than preventative pediatric dental visits. But more importantly, tooth decay can damper your child’s quality of life.
Start Dental Care ASAP for Healthy Smiles
Pediatric dentistry prioritizes prevention through education, fluoride, sealants, and routine exams able to discover issues early before they escalate.
Bringing your child by age 1 establishes a dental home promoting lifelong positive experiences.
When Should Kids Start Visiting The Dentist?
Wondering when to schedule your child’s first dental appointment? Recommendations vary slightly based on which health organizations you ask.
We synthesized guidance from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Dental Association (ADA), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) into the following age-based timelines:
| Child’s Age | Recommended Dental Visit Timing |
| Under 1 year | Within 6 months once the first tooth erupts or by 1st birthday |
| 1-2 years | Every 6 months to begin habituating visits |
| 3-6 years | Every 6 months to monitor primary teeth |
| 6-12 years | Every 6 months oversees losing primary and permanent teeth emerging |
| 12+ years | Every 6 months continues bi-annual preventative care |
Some parents wonder if seeing a general dentist rather than pediatric specialist makes more sense financially. But pediatric dentists focusing exclusively on young patients offers compelling benefits.
Why Choose A Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists earn additional specialized training beyond general dentistry schooling and treating mainly children provides them with unique expertise including:
Kid-Centric Office Environment
These dental offices cater specifically to young patients with decorations, books, toys, viewing rooms, prizes, and more aimed at making visits fun not frightening.
Advanced Training and Experience
Extensive post-grad pediatric specialty programs give these dentists added knowledge of conditions affecting developing teeth. Seeing droves of children makes them adept at handling related issues.
Patient Empathetic Approach
Their main passion lies in caring for children and they deeply respect young patients as individuals. Top priorities focus on easing anxieties, answering questions, and conveying treatment empathy.
Of course, your chosen dentist matters more than specific professional designation.
But pediatric dentists do possess an exceptional ability to deliver optimal oral health outcomes through tailored dental experiences benefitting young ones immensely.
Ready Those Pearly Whites!
A pediatric dentistry partnership marks an important step in ensuring your precious bundle develops healthy gums and teeth. Consider scheduling that first visit as those initial teeth make debut appearances!
Reinforcing excellent brushing and flossing habits from an early age helps maintain strong teeth for decades to come. You play a central role too by closely overseeing oral hygiene routines.
Spy the best dental clinic in Saskatoon providing exceptional pediatric services? Don’t wait, make that appointment today! Your child’s radiant smile depends on it.
