How Often a Child Should See a Dentist

A child's first visit to the dentist is usually when the first tooth appears or by the age of a year old. By taking a child to the dentist at such an early age means the child get used to dentist and what happens when they visit. Visiting the dentist should become part of a child's life and the importance of healthy teeth can be reinforced at home. Regular teeth cleaning even when the child is very young and does not have all their teeth is vital to keep a child's teeth healthy. When the child is old enough, encourage teeth cleaning at least twice a day and flossing once a day.
How often a child should see the dentist is usually about twice a year. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend twice a year to children who have healthy teeth. If dental problems occur at any time with a child you should immediately make an appointment to see a dentist. When the child is between one and five the dentist will just check that the milk teeth are healthy and there is no decay or gum disease. As the child gets older and the milk teeth start to come out the dentist will check that the adult teeth are growing correctly and there is enough room for the teeth to grow in the child's mouth.
The dentist will also clean and polish the child's teeth and may apply a fluoride solution to the teeth. The dentist may recommend a sealant that goes over the child's teeth to stop food debris getting into the cracks and causing tooth decay. This is a painless procedure where a painless plastic sealant is applied to teeth and sealed with a light inside the mouth. This procedure can help to prevent cavities.
How often a child should see a dentist may also depend on how well you are managing your child's oral hygiene and any genetic or hereditary problems that may affect the teeth. If you dentist recommends that your child sees a dentist more than twice a year there will be a good reason for this and it should be explained to you fully.
Ensuring that your child has good oral hygiene and sees the dentist regularly will keep your child's teeth in excellent condition. This is important for health, speech development and for strong teeth. Developing good dental health habits when a child is young will ensure that they continue to look after their teeth independently as they get older.