Parents are typically recommended to take their children to a pediatric dentist as soon as their first tooth sprouts, usually between six and 12 months.

Pediatric dental professionals are trained to treat children’s teeth and mouths from infancy through the teenage years. As your child grows, you may wonder when is the right time to switch them to a general dentist.

Age One

Parents are typically advised to take their children to a pediatric dentist within six months of the first tooth sprouting and no later than 12 months. Early visits can help protect baby teeth, identify fluoride needs and teach parents about healthy oral and facial development.

Primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, play critical roles that contribute to good nutrition by facilitating chewing, enhancing speech development and maintaining space for permanent adult teeth by holding them in place.

Pediatric dentists are trained to work with younger mouths and have smaller dental tools that can fit better in small spaces. They also use distractions to help kids stay calm during treatment.

Age Two

Despite recommendations by dentists and doctors, many parents need help understanding when to bring their child to the dentist. The offer is to take them to the dentist by their first birthday or six months following the appearance of their first tooth, whichever occurs first.

Pediatric dentist are specially educated to care for children’s teeth, mouth, and gums at various stages of development. They can also detect and treat early tooth decay and monitor growth and development.

Seeing the same dentist regularly helps kids become more comfortable with dental visits and can even aid in helping to stop bad habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier use.

Age Three

Pediatric dentists are specially trained to handle issues that affect children. They will help your child develop healthy teeth and gums from a young age, saving them from long-term problems and lifelong complications.

Pediatric Dentists will also teach children the importance of oral hygiene, including choosing a suitable toothbrush and toothpaste, proper diet, and eliminating thumb or pacifier-sucking habits. This will help ensure that your child is ready to switch to a general dentist when the time comes.

It is important to note that some pediatric dentists will only allow a child to transition to a general dentist once they have lost all their baby teeth. Ask your dentist if this is the case before making the switch.

Age Four

When a child is young, it’s important to introduce them to the dentist at an early age. This will establish trust and help them develop good oral hygiene habits. It will also allow the dentist to detect issues and provide treatment before they become issues.

Pediatric dentists understand the developmental changes that children go through, which can help parents instill positive dental habits from an early age. In addition, pediatric dentists are experienced in dealing with common behaviors like thumb sucking and teeth grinding that can be difficult for regular dentists to address.

It’s important to note that some general dentists only accept children once they’re a certain age, so check before making a switch.

Age Five

You instill in your children the value of cleaning their teeth, flossing, and having regular dental appointments. However, many parents must understand how early and often kids should see a dentist.

Baby teeth (or primary teeth) serve important functions: they help with eating, aid in speech development, and maintain space for permanent teeth to come in properly. Bad habits like thumb sucking and teeth grinding are common in young children, and pediatric dentists are the most qualified to address these issues.

Be sure to talk with your child’s pediatric dentist about when it’s time to switch to a general Dentist that can treat adults. Some offices have age guidelines for making this switch, while others don’t.

Age Six

It’s one of the most important dental visits your child will have to make. And that’s why it needs to be done by a dentist specializing in kids’ teeth and dental issues, like a pediatric dentist!

Children’s dentists are trained to help kids stay calm and comfortable during their appointments. Plus, they understand kids deeper than general dentists and can work directly with them to acknowledge their fears while providing the best care for their teeth.

Pediatric dentists also know that habits like thumb sucking or pacifier sucking can lead to problems later in life, so they are highly skilled in helping kids get rid of these unhealthy behaviors. They can even recommend mouth appliances to help!