When should your child's first dental appointment be scheduled? This is one of the top questions every pediatric dentist in Fort Lauderdale is asked. A lot of parents are unaware that infants and young children can get cavities, but they do. Your kid's new teeth could start to deteriorate as soon as they erupt. This is why it's crucial to arrange for a dental examination as soon as their first tooth erupts.
In fact, even if no teeth have yet come in, the CDC, American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry all advises that you bring your kid in for a dental examination no later than their first birthday. Surprised? Read on to know why.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that you take your kid to a pediatric dentist as soon as possible after any of the following two milestones: (1) when their first tooth erupts and (2) their first birthday. Yes, when your child is still a newborn, you should take them to the dentist.
If you think that taking your child to the dentist by the time they turn one year old seems early, keep in mind that more than 21% of American children between the ages of two and five have cavities. Also, kids who go to the dentist by the time they turn one may have less tooth decay than kids who wait until they are older. In fact, a child's likelihood of developing tooth decay nearly doubles every year after their first birthday.
To begin with, a lot of parents are unaware of what they don't know about their kid's oral health. There is a lot of inaccurate information about dental health out there. Additionally, your kid’s dentist will be able to work with you to try to cure any early decay that is already showing on your little one's teeth before it turns into a cavity. You have a better chance of being able to stop any tooth decay before it permanently harms the tooth if you take them to the dentist as soon as possible.
Early cavity treatment is crucial. Early childhood tooth decay is very aggressive and, if left unaddressed, can soon cause catastrophic infections and tooth loss. Call us!
