Routine trips to the dentist office are essential to a child's oral health and development. Many parents have questions about when the very first visit should be. Should they wait until all baby teeth have emerged or start early to prevent possible issues? Here’s a closer look at what time is the right time to begin focusing on your child's dental care.

The Ideal Age

The proper age for an inaugural dental exam is anytime in the first year of life or within six months of the eruption of the first baby tooth. The dentist will check the condition of the child's mouth and ensure the teeth are growing in the healthiest ways.

But this is also a learning opportunity for the child, a chance for them to get comfortable in the dentist office, with the chair and the lights, and with all the new sights and sounds.

It's an educational experience for parents as well. Moms and dads will learn how to best care for their child's teeth in these crucial formative years, and the dentist will advise them on the best ways of brushing, minimizing decay, and promoting healthy teeth development. In general, once a child reaches two years of age, they should go to the dentist every six months moving forward.

Benefits

The major benefit of starting dentist visits early is that parents will be proactive in maintaining the child's oral health and wellness. But the advantages go beyond clean teeth.

Dentists monitor the growth and condition of the mouth and make sure there are no structural issues that could prevent the child from adequately chewing and swallowing food. They’ll also be able to see if there are any hindrances to proper speech development.

When your child is ready for their first exam, visit the dentist office of Lowitz & Meier. For over three decades, they’ve been serving patients throughout the Cincinnati, OH, area. They see patients of all ages, offering comprehensive dental care from preventive treatments to oral surgeries. Call (513) 521-8900 or visit them online for a full list of services or to schedule a checkup.