As you may already know, your child should visit the dentist for the first time after their first tooth emerges. This seems simple enough, but what about after that? A common question we get from patients is how often they should bring their child in for a checkup.
Though every child is different, the general rule is that you should plan for a visit every six months. However, the frequency of your visits will largely depend on your child’s dental health.
Why Your Child Should Visit the Dentist Every Six Months
Making a dental appointment every six months allows us to perform routine care such as exams, cleanings, fluoride treatment, and x-rays. These procedures are the best way to prevent and catch things like cavities, tooth decay, and gum diseases; the sooner we can catch it, the easier it will be to treat. Additionally, smaller things are less costly to treat. Waiting for too long can result in more costly treatment.
It’s important to note that just because a dental visit goes smoothly and we don’t find any issues, it doesn’t mean you should skip your next visit. A lot can happen within the span of a few months, and if a problem arises and goes unchecked, your child could be in for a lengthier visit next time around.
These regular visits also allow us to determine if your child’s brushing habits are effective. We look at how hard or how soft they may be brushing if they’re flossing and if they may need additional steps in their routine to keep their teeth as healthy as possible.
What If Your Child Has Dental Hygiene Issues?
If you find that your child is suffering from things like cavities, inflammation, or tooth decay, we urge you to bring them in more frequently. Your child should visit the dentist once every three months or so in these circumstances.
This way, we can keep their issues in check and implement an effective routine to treat their dental hygiene issues. It’s best to address these problems early on so that your child can enjoy good oral health when they’re older and not have to worry about things like gingivitis or tooth extractions.
The best way to enact preventative measures at home is to monitor what your kids are eating, as well as make sure that they’re brushing their teeth and flossing every day. Many underestimate the importance of flossing, but cavities that form in between the teeth are much harder to handle and can be harder to detect.
Bring Your Child into Oak Hills Dentistry for the Best in Kids Dental Care
While your child should visit the dentist frequently, choosing the right dentist is equally as important. Our doctors at Oak Hills Dentistry in Layton, Utah, are passionate about ensuring that your child gets the best dental care so that they can enjoy excellent oral health well into their later years.
We take every measure possible to provide your child with a positive experience so that they’re more prone to visit the dentist regularly as they get older. If you want only the best dental care for your child, book an appointment with us today!