When to Start Visiting a Pediatric Dentist in San Luis Obispo

When to Start Visiting a Pediatric Dentist

As a new parent, you are excited about everything that involves your
child. Even if your own dental health is perfect, you worry about
theirs. So now you want to know when to start visiting a pediatric
dentist. There are a lot of benefits to taking your child to the dentist
early. The American Dental Association says that your baby needs to
visit a pediatric dentist as soon as the first tooth comes out. If your
baby has several teeth already, don’t worry, you can start today.

Advantages of visiting a pediatric dentist early

A pediatric dentist will give you information about:

  • Baby’s feeding

  • Cleaning teeth and gums

  • Normal and abnormal teething

  • Pacifier habits

  • Finger-sucking habits

Did you know that 21% of American children between ages 2 and 5 have
cavities? This means your baby’s first tooth is at risk too! Your
pediatric dentist can check for signs of cavities. If they’ve already
developed cavities by the time you are taking them to the dental office,
your dentist will treat them before they spread.

Visiting the dentist allows the parent to learn a lot about oral
hygiene for babies. Most parents don’t know that cleaning their baby’s
gums with a clean damp cloth is very important even if the first tooth
has not yet erupted.

Choosing a pediatric dentist

You may bring your child to your family dentist but the most ideal
dentist is the pediatric dentist. They specialize in matters concerning
babies and children. They know how to handle anxious children. They have
specialized dental equipment for children and their environment is
usually child-friendly.

If you are looking for the best pediatric dentist, call us. We’ll
create a positive experience for your child to make their next
appointment easy.

What to expect with a first visit

During the first visit, your dentist aims at building familiarity
with your baby. Your dentist will also examine your baby’s teeth, gums,
jaw, and bite and check for any abnormalities. They’ll also teach you
about how to maintain your baby’s oral hygiene at home.

We provide dental checkups for babies and children. Call us today to
schedule your baby’s first appointment.