Your Child's 1st Dental Appointment

Being a parent requires a great deal of responsibility. For many people, those responsibilities are not fully realized as they plan for their new bundle of joy to arrive. It is a great deal of fun planning a nursery, choosing a name, and attending baby showers, but most expecting parents do not give much thought to everything else that comes with being a parent. This is not a criticism; it is just fact. Most parents are surprised to find that they should take their children to the dentist by the time they reach their first birthday. Quite surprising, actually, considering that most 1 year olds do not have many teeth! However, the American Dental Association recommends that all children begin their dental care at a very early age.

There are specific reasons for which the American Dental Association recommends children visit the dentist so early:
Address concerns early. Any concerns that are apparent at a one-year old’s birthday are concerns that are better addressed as early as possible. The sooner intervention is begun, the sooner issues can be corrected.
Allow children to become comfortable. One of the biggest issues that parents face when bringing older children to the dentist is their fear. Children who visit the dentist from a very young age understand that the dentist is not someone to be feared. They are familiar with dental visits and are comfortable at the dentist’s office.
Educate parents. Bringing children into the dentist’s office from an early age allows parents the education they need to properly care for their children’s teeth. This goes well beyond simply brushing their teeth. Good oral health involves a healthy diet, involves taking pacifiers away early and breaking habits such as thumb sucking and falling asleep with a bottle.
At Heritage Dental we are proud to serve patients of all ages with exceptional dental care. A healthy smile starts from the beginning, and we are here to promote optimal oral health in even the youngest of patients. Call today to schedule an appointment for your child or children!