{"id":130,"date":"2020-09-27T20:11:30","date_gmt":"2020-09-27T20:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newengland-kids.com\/blog\/?p=130"},"modified":"2020-10-15T20:11:44","modified_gmt":"2020-10-15T20:11:44","slug":"pediatric-dentist-childrens-dental-appointments-first-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newengland-kids.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/27\/pediatric-dentist-childrens-dental-appointments-first-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"When Was the Last Time Your Child Visited the Dentist?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"LittleIf you have a son or daughter, you already know that raising kids comes with a lot of questions. After all, being a parent doesn\u2019t come with an instruction manual! So when it comes to taking care of your child\u2019s precious smile, it\u2019s natural to have some questions. Read on as your pediatric dentist<\/a> goes over the basics of your little one\u2019s dental checkups, including when their first one should be, how often they should be scheduled, and why they\u2019re so important.<\/p>\n

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When Should My Child\u2019s First Dental Visit Be?<\/h2>\n

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child visit their dentist for the first time before their first birthday. While many parents think that their children don\u2019t have enough teeth yet to warrant a trip to the dentist, it\u2019s important to remember that teeth are vulnerable to decay as soon as they erupt.<\/p>\n

Even though your child\u2019s baby teeth aren\u2019t a permanent fixture in their smile, it\u2019s important that they\u2019re well taken care of. Baby teeth make learning to chew and speak easier. They also help guide permanent teeth in correctly. Visiting a dentist early in your little one\u2019s life ensures that their baby teeth stay happy and healthy.<\/p>\n

How Often Should My Child Get a Dental Checkup?<\/h2>\n

In general, children should see their dentist every six months just like adults. However, some dentists may recommend more often if your child needs a little extra help getting their oral health on track. Biannual checkups are an excellent way to keep tabs on your son\u2019s or daughter\u2019s oral development and check to see that everything is going smoothly.<\/p>\n

During these visits, your dentist may suggest services like sealants or fluoride treatments to give your child\u2019s smile extra protection from cavities as they grow. By the time they\u2019re seven, they should have an orthodontic evaluation to determine how their jaw growth and bite alignment are coming along.<\/p>\n

Why Are Dental Appointments So Important in Childhood?<\/h2>\n

There are several important benefits to be gained by starting your child\u2019s oral health care journey early in life, three of which are:<\/p>\n