For a lifetime of a dazzling smile and healthy teeth and gums, it’s only natural that you commit yourself to a lifetime of personal and professional dental care. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association agree that children should visit a kid’s dentist for the first time by the age of one year.

This is important for several reasons, including:

• The continued oral health of your children as they grow. Children tend to be apprehensive about new situations, so it’s important that they feel safe and comfortable when visiting the dentist for the first few visits. Starting pediatric dental visits early helps your child to develop familiarity with the environment, which in turn improve
  
• Primary teeth are highly susceptible to plaque and tooth decay. Taking your child to a pediatric dentist early in life helps to take the necessary preventive action to prevent problems from ever developing. Otherwise, it increases the chances of the dentist detecting the early stages of any developing dental concerns.
  
• Your kid’s dentist can recommend preventative approaches such as sealants or fluoride supplements to protect teeth that are at greater risk of decay. Starting from the age of 7 or 8 years, the dentist may also be able to detect early signs of orthodontic issues, such as bite problems or crooked teeth for timely intervention, which can help to reduce the total cost of orthodontic treatment.
  
• During your kid’s dental visits, parents get the opportunity to learn about any concerns that the dentist may have about your child’s oral health, and help to implement any ideas and recommendations to help them take better care of their gums and teeth at home and get rid of bad habits such as thumb sucking or nail biting.
  

Ensuring that your child starts off the right way with oral care can have a huge impact on their future dental health. So enforcing regular dental visits for your toddler can help set the pace for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.