When Should I Take My Kids to the Dentist for the First Time?

Taking your children to the dentist sounds like a challenging endeavor, as almost 75% of them suffer from dental anxiety, and many seem too young to undergo oral procedures. Yet, scheduling dentist visits from an early age can protect your child against the evils that bacteria and food remains represent, giving a start to a safe oral health journey. Learn which age is best to schedule the first appointment with a family dentist in Issaquah and what perks these visits entail for the well-being of your child's tiny smile.

Scheduling Your Child's First Dentist Visit

Except in very rare cases, babies aren't born with teeth because they only drink their mother's breast milk for the first six months of their life. After that time, your child's digestive and immune systems are ready to receive nutrients from other sources, so primary teeth start grinding food into smaller pieces. Regardless of your baby's age, you should call your family dentist for a first appointment when your child's first tooth erupts. Not doing so could bring about many different oral problems for your little one since their gums and teeth aren't developed enough to fight against bacteria.

Which Problems Could Arise from Lack of Dental Visits?

Tooth Decay

Cavities are one of the most prevalent dental problems in the world, affecting about 2 billion people. However, taking your baby to the dentist is a highly effective way to prevent this issue. Even if you brush your little one's teeth when these erupt, bacteria can still build up around oral tissue and penetrate the still-weak tooth enamel. If you don't take your child to the dentist when they get their first teeth, you give harmful substances room to drill your baby's vulnerable teeth and give trouble to their baby and permanent teeth.

Gum Disease

Decay isn't the only problem waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack your baby's smile, as gum disease can also deal a blow on even the tiniest gums. When bacteria target the gumline instead of your tooth surface, they cause this tissue to recede, bleed, and swell. Over time, this problem can cause your baby a great deal of pain and affect their oral and overall health. However, when a dentist provides early treatment and cleanings, gum disease becomes a short-lived worry.

Bad Breath

Unlike adults, babies have their cuteness to counteract bad breath's harmful effects on interpersonal relationships. Unfortunately, if a foul odor comes out of your child's mouth, it might indicate a more severe dental problem is hiding behind their smile. When bacteria accumulate on your baby's tongue, gums, and teeth, they harm tissue while producing a powerful stench. If you take your baby to the dentist the moment they get their primary teeth, the professional can identify the root of the problem and provide the necessary treatment.

Is It Time to Take Your Child to a Family Dentist in Issaquah?

After children stop breastfeeding and start to develop their baby teeth, taking them to a family dentist is paramount to keep their smile free from cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. At APEX Dental Care, we can protect your and your children's teeth from a very early age to keep them clean, healthy, and beautiful. Contact our team today to book an appointment and experience quality dental services!