We agree with the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics that children should see a dentist when their first tooth comes in or when they reach the age of one, whichever comes first.
These early visits are important for a few reasons:
- They establish the dentist’s office as a familiar and safe place early on in life.
- They give you and Dr. Compton the opportunity to discuss your child’s health before any problems develop so that we can hopefully head them off.
- They give us early insight into your child’s development so that we can have a complete record as they grow.
Your child and Dr. Compton will have the opportunity to develop a trust-based relationship. Dental anxiety is a huge problem among adults and we believe that establishing this trust early on in life helps to reduce fear and make it more likely that your child will stick with good health habits throughout life.
Many dental problems start early on and it helps us to know a child’s history. Is your family prone to cavities and gum disease? Does your child use a pacifier or suck his or her thumb? Has your child ever had a dental injury? This information will help guide our care later on in your child’s life.