How old should a child be when he visits the dentist for the first time?
Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be made after the first teeth erupt and before the first birthday. Tooth decay may appear as soon as just after the eruption of the very first tooth. As parents you should prepare your child before the dental visit to understand what will happen there. It is important that you do not transfer your anxieties about the dentist to your child. • During this early visit your dentist will: Check for tooth decay or other dental problems. • Advise you about your child’s dental hygiene and problems like thumb sucking and nursing bottle decay. • Identify your child’s fluoride needs. • Get your child used to the dental office environment and the dentist. • Help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.
