Age One Dental Visit – Franklin Park, IL

Why Schedule an Age One Dental Visit?

Some parents make the mistake of waiting until later in life to begin taking their children to the dentist. This can be extremely risky; tooth decay affects more than 50% of children who still have their baby teeth, and the odds of finding one during the first appointment only increases the longer you put it off. If their teeth are poking above the gums, then bacteria, acids, and other substances that can damage or break down tooth enamel to get to them. But if we’re able to examine the mouth early on, we can identify potential risk factors and intervene before any permanent damage is done. Both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend setting up an appointment no later than six months after the first tooth appears.

What Happens During an Age One Dental Visit?

Naturally, this appointment will involve an examination of the teeth and other oral structures along with a gentle cleaning. Since the experience will be new to your child, we’ll take some time to help them get used to the dental office and the various sights and sounds that are typically associated with dental care. This will also be your chance to learn more about cleaning and protecting your child’s smile at home. We can discuss oral cleaning, diet changes, developmental issues, and other things that every parent should be aware of.

What are the Benefits of Early Dental Care?

Beginning dental appointments early lowers the risk that your child will develop cavities or other painful oral health issues later in life. The chances of a dental emergency (which can wreak havoc on your child’s school life) will also go down. Some families are concerned about the cost of dental care, but the truth is that you’ll typically save more money by preventing problems from occurring at all instead of waiting until you have no choice but to seek complex forms of treatment.