Most parents don’t realize what the recommendations are for when their children should start seeing a dentist, and thus don’t take their children as early as recommended. Understanding the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s recommendations for when children should start seeing Pediatric Dentists in Bremerton Wa will help keep the child’s teeth in the best possible condition.
Age Recommendations
As surprising as it may seem to some people, it’s actually recommended for children to first see a dentist by the time they turn one year old or within six months of having a tooth show up. Most parents actually don’t bring their children for their first visit until they’re about 2 1/2 years old, well past the recommended age for a first visit. Waiting too long means that it’s more likely that there will be cavities or a lot of plaque built up that needs to be dealt with, which can make the first visit a bit scarier and set the stage for the child to be scared at future visits.
Reasoning
Although children that are only a year old don’t typically have a lot of teeth, there are a number of potential benefits to bringing them to see Pediatric Dentists in Bremerton Wa. This visit is a chance for the dentist to make sure that the teeth are all coming in properly and help teach the parents the proper way to care for their children’s teeth and gums. This will help make it so the children’s baby teeth stay healthy so they learn to speak properly, can chew well to get the nutrition they need, and have a smile they’re comfortable with.
Tips
Young children may not be all that excited about going to the dentist for the first time, but there are some steps parents can take to make the visit a less scary procedure. Read books about what happens at the dentist and bring the child with on a parent’s dental visit so they are familiar with what to expect. Choose a time when the child is well-rested and likely to be in a good mood, and play around a bit so the visit is more fun.