At Oral Health Associates, it’s our goal to offer patients of all ages with the quality dental care and treatment necessary to provide them with a lifetime of healthy smiles. We understand that the youngest of patients are usually nervous about visiting the dentist for the first time, which is understandable. However, we want to let you know that when you come to Oral Health Associates, we take every measure to make sure that there are no worries for your child. As your trusted Green Bay dentist, we provide a safe and welcoming environment that’s well-suited for patients of all ages. Our staff is friendly and always willing to make sure that you and your child are comfortable at all times. Having said that, many parents are unsure when to come in because they don’t know the appropriate time for their child’s initial visit. There’s actually a very simple answer to that question.
The Perfect Age for a First Visit
While most parents wait for a few years before taking their child to the dentist for the first time, it’s important that you make your first trip well before then. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that an infant visit the dentist for the first time at either the age of one or within six months after the first tooth erupts. The first tooth will typically erupt at around six months, making your child’s first birthday generally the perfect time to visit the dentist for an initial visit. This visit is vital because it allows dentists to take care of a child’s primary teeth and make sure that they’re kept in place.
The Importance of Primary Teeth
Many parents put off the first visit to the dentist because they don’t believe that it’s too big of a deal. After all, primary (baby) teeth will fall out shortly; what’s the point of paying too much attention to them? Well, primary teeth actually play a critical role in the development of a child for many reasons, including the following:
- Primary teeth will guide the eruption of permanent teeth. This means that they’ll make sure that the permanent teeth will settle into their proper positions and they won’t drift into misalignment.
- They allow a child to eat properly and maintain good nutrition.
- They also help a child enunciate and develop good speech habits.
- Having beautiful and healthy primary teeth will help develop a strong self-image for a child.
- Building strong dental habits (such as brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist) at a young age will promote a lifetime of maintaining great oral hygiene.
Contact Your Green Bay Family Dentist Today!
If you have a child who may need to see the dentist, we encourage you to give us a call at (920) 437-3376 to schedule an appointment with us. Alternatively, you can fill out our online Request an Appointment! form. Please feel free to Contact Us.
if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. We look forward to hearing from you and putting your child on the path to a lifetime of healthy smiles!
