At What Age Should Your Child First See a Pediatric Dentist?

When you’re a new parent, there are a lot of firsts that you don’t want to miss. From your baby’s first birthday to his first steps and his first word, these milestones are special to any new mom or dad. But there’s another first that should be on your mind — his first appointment with his pediatric dentist in Long Island. Many new parents don’t know how soon is too soon for their little one to see the dentist. Let us help.

First Birthday, First Dental Visit

Pediatric dental professionals, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommend that all children see a dentist for the first time by the time they’re one year old or within 6-months of getting their first tooth. This first visit is important for many reasons, including:

• Getting your child comfortable with the dentist 
• Catching early tooth decay, which can happen even in the very first tooth
• Checking tooth development 

Now, you may be asking yourself, “Why does all of this matter if baby teeth are just going to fall out?” and that’s a great question. The truth is, temporary baby teeth serve an important role in long-term oral and overall health. They hold the space for permanent adult teeth, and they help your child speak and eat. When a baby tooth is lost too soon, permanent adult teeth can shift, making it hard for all of the other permanent teeth to fit. This can cause overcrowding, require orthodontics, and lead to other dental problems. That’s why early preventive dental visits with your pediatric dentist in Long Island will set your baby up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. 

What to Expect At Your Baby’s First Dental Appointment

Your child’s first dental visit will probably be quick and straightforward. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important. Your pediatric dentist in Long Island will spend time counting teeth (how fun!), checking oral and facial development, and looking for decay. Your pediatric dentist may also ask you about the use of pacifiers, thumb sucking, and bottle use. All of these things can play a role in your child’s oral health and tooth development.

Seeing your pediatric dentist in Long Island as early as possible sets your baby up to be comfortable with dental visits, provides them with important dental hygiene information, and can prevent additional problems from popping up later in life. 

If your child hasn’t seen a dentist yet and has at least one tooth, we welcome you to schedule an appointment with us today.

About The Author

Dr. Glen Ehrenman

In April this year, Dr. Glen Ehrenman received a Lifetime Diplomate status and an award from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD), where he has been a diplomate since 1995. Since 2010, he has been a clinical assistant professor and mentor at the State University of New York Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine. He has memberships with dental organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, New York State Dental Association, and the Nassau County Dental Society. His commitment to excellence earned him the Top DDS of 2012 award from Long Island Pulse Magazine.

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