Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits early can lead to a lifelong healthy smile, but did you know that just because babies don’t have any visible teeth, doesn’t mean they can’t get cavities? A baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in the jaws at birth. And those baby teeth that begin coming through the gums around 6 months help set the stage for future smiles by keeping space in the jaw for adult teeth.

The American Dental Association recommends that children be seen in the dental office as early as age one for their initial exam to make sure all is well, and then most children are ready to begin their regular dental check ups by age three.

The child’s first appointment is scheduled with one of our very competent dental hygienists who will “count” the teeth while examining them, and proceed with treatment depending on the age and readiness of the child. Parents may accompany the child into the treatment room and if more comfortable, the child may sit on a parent’s lap for their evaluation. Questions will be answered and home care recommendations will be made. For more information about children’s teeth see the the website for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.