< View All Articles

Why Provo Dentist Recommends Early Childhood Visits

At what age should I bring my child in for an exam?
We recommend that your child be seen for their first office visit between the ages of six and twelve months or as soon as his or her first tooth erupts. In any event, your child should definitely have their first exam no later than their first birthday. A good rule of thumb to remember is “first visit by first birthday”.

Why is it necessary to see them so soon?
It’s vital that children develop strong, healthy teeth to chew, speak and maintain an attractive smile. Baby teeth also act as a placeholder in the jaw for permanent teeth, and if a child loses a baby tooth too soon, the teeth around the missing tooth may begin to shift into the empty space. This shift may cause permanent teeth to be crooked or crowded. Routine office visits enable us to monitor these teeth as they emerge and can refer you to a specialist, such as an orthodontist or oral surgeon, if you require additional care.

However, the primary reason for early childhood visits to Provo Dental is to get your child started on a thorough prevention program of cleanings and other preventative dental services. You may not realize it, but dental problems can develop early. Besides checking for tooth decay and other potential problems, my staff and I can show you the proper way to clean the child’s teeth. Once a child’s diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay. It’s important to remember that the earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems.

In addition to preventive dentistry, consider these other benefits associated with establishing routine visits for your child:

• Entrusting your family’s care to your family dentist establishes a long-term relationship between us, as dental professionals, and your family. These routine visits enable us to get to know each member of your family and not only determine the best way to approach dental care for all of you, but also to provide the compassion and friendliness of a health care provider who understands your family’s particular needs.
• In addition to providing regular dental exams, our office also provides e mergency services. So if you or your child breaks a tooth or has another dental emergency, you can have peace of mind in knowing that we will be available to see you right away to repair the damage

Should I worry about my child being afraid?
One of the benefits of starting your child’s dental care at an early age is that this will establish a pattern of proper dental care for your child and help to avoid “dental phobia” that many adults experience because of an absence of early childhood dental visits.

Our goal at Provo UT Dentist Office is to make sure that every dental experience is as painless and pleasant as possible. Our dental team has specialized training in gentle dentistry techniques and procedures. We strive to provide a positive, upbeat environment for everyone to enjoy, and we are sensitive to the dental fears and anxieties of children.