When should parents take their children for their first dental checkup?

The ideal age for a child's first dental visit is when his or her first teeth come in, around age one. This is more of a fun visit to get the child acquainted with the dentist and used to having someone look in to their mouth. The goal is to prevent the first visit from being negative in any way such as the discovery of cavities. The dentist can provide information on proper diet and effective oral hygiene measures that can be implemented early to prevent possible problems from occurring. Many young children develop cavites between their teeth, which can be easily prevented by the parent flossing the teeth. Primary molars can still benefit from sealants if the grooves are very deep. Information can also be provided on how to prevent bottle tooth decay and the benefits of fluoride. Mouth development, airway issues due to allergies, and oral habits like thumb sucking can also be evaluated at this time. Issues here can affect a child's bite later requiring extensive orthodontic treatment. Early intervention may eliminate or lessen a future orthodontic problem. Many times the first dental visit turns out to be for an emergency, when the child is much older. Unfortunately the young patient will remember their first dental visit as being very unpleasant and will be reluctant to return. Many dental phobics can trace their fear to their first dental visit. Make the first dental visit proactive rather than reactive.