Age One Dental Visit

One thing that may go overlooked during the crazy first year of parenthood is the first dental visit. Getting off on the right foot with excellent dental care will help ensure a lifetime of oral health. So when should the first dentist appointment be for your baby? The answer is between 6 months and 1 year, or when the teeth first start to erupt. Believe it or not, a baby's primary teeth (baby teeth) are already present in the jaws at birth. The first teeth to erupt are the central incisors in the lower jaw at around 6 to 10 months. Next, the front four teeth of the upper jaw erupt, followed by the lateral incisors in the lower jaw. Of course, it is natural for there to be some variability.

It is very important to establish a dental home for your child. Your dentist will provide instruction on oral hygiene and will acquire an assessment on the risks for childhood cavities. It's also very important to identify problems with tooth eruption and jaw growth early on.