We all love seeing a child’s beaming smile. But it’s important that behind every single one of those grins is a set of healthy teeth.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting three times more children than obesity and four times more than asthma.

What’s more, one in five children has had tooth decay by kindergarten and more than half have had cavities by age eight.

Those are statistics we do not like to hear and we want to improve them — significantly — at Smile Advanced Dental Center in Summerville, SC, in our pediatric dentistry division, where we see children of all ages. 

When and why to schedule your child’s first dentist appointment

The AAPD generally advises that you schedule your child’s first dental visit by the time they are 12 months old, which may be earlier than you would have thought.

We often field a lot of questions from parents about why they should worry about a child’s primary teeth or “baby teeth,” if the child is going to lose them anyway.

However, what you may not realize is that those primary teeth lay a critical foundation for permanent adult teeth by ensuring good nutrition, helping speech development, and aiding the proper development of permanent teeth.

In addition, tooth decay in your child’s early years can increase the risk of decay in those permanent teeth and negatively impact your child’s overall health if it goes undetected or untreated.

Plus, our team also likes to remind our families that it’s important to establish good dental health habits and oral hygiene from an early age. That way, going to the dentist every six months is just a part of a normal routine.

Additional research only adds to the rationale for early pediatric dentistry. Studies have shown that annual treatment costs for children who had their first dental visit by age 1 are significantly less than for patients who wait until they are older. And those who wait until age 2 or 3 have an increased need for preventive, restorative, and emergency visits over time.

What to expect at your first pediatric dentistry visit

For many of our parents, the first pediatric dentistry visit is an important educational opportunity about how to best protect their child’s oral health. We provide guidance on how to properly care for your baby’s teeth and gums, including how to brush— and even floss.

During each visit, our friendly team of dental professionals will also gently examine and clean your child’s teeth (if and when applicable!) while checking for signs of dental problems, such as tooth decay, or developmental issues. We can also refer your child to a specialist, if that is necessary for any reason.

We prioritize making children feel as comfortable as possible and understand that it’s important to build a positive, trusting relationship. We are dedicated to ensuring that your child feels safe here.

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If you have any other questions about pediatric dentistry and why dental care is so important during the early months and years of your child’s life, contact us today. We can also help you schedule that first appointment for your little one.