If you’re not sure when to take your child to the dentist, you’re not alone. One thing’s for sure, though: you should never wait until it’s too late for preventative dental care. If your child’s first trip to the dentist office is to take care of a dental emergency, you definitely waited too long!
To determine the best course of action for your child’s dental care, the better question is: how often should I take my child to the dentist? There are no rock-solid benchmarks for recommended dentist visit frequencies, but it’s always best to err on the side of better dental health – in other words, when in doubt, go ahead and schedule an appointment.
The Super Dentists, San Diego’s premier pediatric dentistry, always puts your child’s dental health first, all while making each visit totally fun and memorable. One in every five San Diego children is a Super Dentists kid – and thanks to our unique, patient-first approach, children can’t wait to visit our dental offices!
The Importance of Regular Dental Care for Children
Given the current state of pediatric dental health [CB1] in California and across the United States, it’s normal to think about when to take your child to the dentist. Consider these sobering statistics:
- The average child in America has at least one decaying tooth.
- Nearly half of U.S. children have at least one cavity – and about 20% of California youth have up to 7 cavities!
- About 20% of children have not visited a dentist within the past year.
- Dental health issues are responsible for millions of school hours missed every year.
Clearly, there’s work to do in improving pediatric oral health in the U.S. What’s truly alarming is that bad dental habits as children are the primary reason for cavities, tooth decay, gingivitis and other dental health problems in adults. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost one-third of adults have untreated cavities – in other words, they’re not even aware they have cavities in the first place. Just like children, adults need to visit the dentist on a regular schedule.
When Take Your Child to the Dentist – First Visits, Frequency & More
Your child’s first visit should occur when their first tooth comes in. If no teeth appear within your child’s first 12 months, schedule an appointment shortly after their first birthday.
As far as frequency, most dental professionals – including The Super Dentists – recommend children should visit the dentist at least twice per year. Two trips to the dentist on an annual basis helps ensure:
- Teeth are aligned correctly.
- Minor issues don’t become serious oral health problems.
- Teeth are protected from cavities and decay.
- Familiarity and trust are established with their dentist – this is very important for young children.
Visit The Super Dentists Today – We’re the #1 Pediatric Dental Network in San Diego!
The Super Dentists continue to reinvent and transform pediatric dental care. Rethink “traditional” trips to the dentists with our completely unique dental experiences!
With a handful of offices in and around San Diego, we’ve made it easy to connect with our team of pediatric dental consultants. Thanks for visiting the Super Dentists – we look forward to seeing you and your child soon!
