Kids and the Dentist – The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene

When your little one’s first tooth pops through it’s a time of excitement. Another milestone has been reached and it is usually documented by numerous pictures. Soon more teeth make an appearance and your baby is officially growing up. While first teeth are a huge move forward for your son or daughter, many parents don’t realize the importance of starting their child off with good oral hygiene and regular trips to the dentist .

Within six months of their first tooth or at least by age one, a child should see the dentist. Yet the average age that a child first sees a dentist is after two years of age.

To ensure a lifetime of good oral hygiene for your little one a trip to the dentist is necessary. Your first step is to find a quality, local family dentist, Santa Fe and make an appointment around their first birthday.

By taking your child to the dentist by age one you are setting a healthy precedent and showing your child that the dentist is a friend to their teeth; a trusted medical professional who will show them how to practice good oral hygiene and reinforce good habits. These trips will also help your child feel more confident around the dentist and help ease any fear your son or daughter may have. The dentist’s office will be a common place and the appointments will be easier for a child who isn’t scared.

Early trips to the dentist can also help the dentist spot any problems and take steps to correct issues he or she may find. Since the mouth is still very new at age one, it is easier to correct small problems and stop them from becoming bigger issues.

If your child is getting ready to celebrate their first birthday, or has a tooth that popped through a few months ago, make an appointment to see the dentist. Your child’s road to healthy oral hygiene can start now.