Dentistry: How Often Should Children Visit the Dentist?

How often should children visit the dentist and what age is recommended that they start with check-ups with a professional oral health provider? Have your child’s oral health supervised by a dentist from the early stages. 

Same as adults, babies should visit the dentist’s office twice a year unless you are advised to do differently. At our practice, you can find the best kid’s dentists in Tijuana.          

Most dental problems develop progressively, but if they are left unattended can become serious, this is why frequent visits to the dentist will provide greater possibilities to prevent, treat and revert any damage to your kid’s teeth.

These visits are also aimed for your child getting used to the experience of the process of a clinical oral evaluation, so they can be comfortable in a dentist’s office rather than scared or nervous.

It is recommended to book an appointment once the first tooth has appeared, this normally occurs by the age of 6 months. In the first appointment, the pediatric dentist will check if your baby is growing healthy teeth, facial osseous structures and gums and by doing so avoid complications in their teenage years and adulthood. You can ask for recommendations on oral care at home, products, frequency, etc.

Visiting your pediatric dentist twice a year will assure your child is growing healthy teeth and healthy habits for the best oral care possible. And also, to detect any dental issue development or condition at the earliest stage, early diagnosis is key for treating cavities, malocclusions, infections and any other dental problem that could cause complications in the future.  

Prepare for the appointment.

A visit to the dentist’s office may last approximately 45 minutes, so be sure to make the most of it. If you have any questions regarding oral health and proper care, you can write them down on a piece of paper or directly on your phone even days in advance, so you don’t leave the office with doubts about how to take care of your baby’s teeth at home.

Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions at our practice: 

• How to clean my children’s mouths?
• Should kids floss?
• How can I prevent decay?
• Should I pull a tooth out if it’s loose?
• What to do if I see changes in teeth color?
• Is baby bottle tooth decay real?
• Do I need to have special toothpaste for my children?
• What can I do if my child is grinding his or her teeth?
• Will finger-sucking affect my child’s teeth?
• Is the pacifier damaging my kid’s teeth?

These are examples of the most common questions parents have about oral care for their children. Although you may find a lot of information on the internet, the best option will always be to ask a professional directly and have them evaluate and treat your kids’ oral health.

Dental Alvarez is a dental clinic in Tijuana committed to providing the best dental treatment in Tijuana for your whole family. Book your appointment now!