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of YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DENTIST VISIT The Canadian Dental Association recommends your child visit the dentist every 6 months, with their first assessment being 6 months after their first tooth appears or by one year of age. The goal is to visit the dentist before there is a problem; regular checkups allow small problems to be caught early. Here are 3 reasons to take your child for dental exams: • You can find out if the cleaning you do at home is working • Your dentist can find problems right away and fix them • You child can learn that going to the dentist prevents problems To prevent cavities in children’s molars once they come in, your dentist may suggest sealing them. The sealant is a kind of plastic applied to the surface of the molars. This makes it less likely for food and germs to be trapped in
the crevices of the tooth. If your child develops a cavity in one of their primary teeth, you may wonder if it is still necessary to get a filling since the tooth will eventually fall out. Tooth decay can spread from one tooth to the next. It is important to catch a cavity as soon as possible in order to stop that spread. The alignment of your child’s teeth is another issue that your dentist will want to keep an eye on. Crowded or crooked teeth at a young age can often correct itself as the jaw grows and allows for the teeth to spread out. Crooked teeth can affect your child’s bite, leading to issues with eating and teeth cleaning. As well, crooked teeth may make your child feel self-conscious. If they do not straighten, your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist.
