How Often Should My Child Be Seeing the Dentist?

In a 2014 US survey, 64.6% of parents reported taking their children under 18 to the dentist twice a year. Regular teeth cleaning every six months is the standard recommendation for adults. But is it enough for children?

Good oral hygiene is vital. It keeps the teeth strong, clean, and shiny. Parents must promote proper dental care so their children can develop healthy habits.

Teeth cleaning is a part of excellent hygiene practices. Do you know how often to take your child for one, though? It’s a concern that most parents find themselves puzzled over.

In this article, you’ll find the answer. Keep reading to learn how often your child should visit the dentist.

When Should Your Child’s First Teeth Clean Be?

Before we dive into how often to get your child’s teeth cleaned, you should know when their first visit should be.

Most experts recommend that children visit the dentist within their first year of life. The preferred age ranges from about 6 months to 1 year. The safest option is to go when baby teeth start growing.

Early dental visits prevent tooth decay, which can start as soon as teeth develop. They also allow the dentist to track the growth and progression of your child’s teeth.

What Happens at Pediatric Dental Visits?

For many kids, a trip to the dentist is scary. The sensation of a stranger peering into their mouth might feel stressful. Knowing what will happen can help your little one relax.

The first thing, especially during the first visit, is to give your child’s health history. It may be brief, but be detailed and also voice your concerns.

While at the dentist, your child will get their mouth examined. The dentist will make sure everything is in order. If they’re old enough, your child will get their teeth cleaned too.

Depending on their age and condition, a pediatric dentist may perform oral X-rays. These can allow them to monitor growth and possible damage.

How Often Should Your Child See the Dentist?

So, when do you need to take your child to the dentist? The answer is tricky because it can vary on a case-by-case basis.

The general answer is that a trip to the best pediatric dentist near you should occur every six months. For most children, just two visits per year are adequate.

Some situations will need more frequent visits. For example, orthodontic braces may mean more appointments to monitor their progress. Damage to the teeth or abnormalities will need extra attention too.

Healthy Habits Start at Home

There are a lot of advantages of teeth cleaning by a professional. But did you know that the right hygiene habits start at home? These habits will keep the teeth well maintained between appointments.

Always encourage your child to brush their teeth after eating. Promote the right flossing habits too. Avoid excessive amounts of sugar to prevent cavities.

A pediatric dentist will tell you if your child’s at-home cleaning needs correcting.

Normalize Good Health

Set up regular teeth cleaning appointments for your child. The many teeth cleaning benefits will keep their mouths as healthy as possible.

After our baby teeth, we keep the same set of teeth for our entire lives. Proper oral hygiene keeps them in tip-top shape so that they can do their job.

For more health tips, check out the other articles on our website. You’ll find more guides for keeping yourself and your family healthy.

If you don’t know where to start, you can simply search for a term like “dentist near me Kissimmee” on the internet and it will pull up a list of experts that you can reach out to.