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When Should Your Child Have Their First Dental Appointment?

Posted on 3/6/2023 by Dr. Dani Stansell

A lot of parents believe that there is no reason to take their babies to the dentist. But do you know that the American Dental Association strongly suggests that your child should have their first dental appointment after their first baby tooth erupts?

Good oral hygiene and dental care is just as important for your baby as it is for adults. At Stansell Dentistry Associates, our doctor and can help parents understand how to take care of their baby's first tooth and maintain their oral hygiene.

When Does a Baby's First Tooth Erupt?

When a child is born, he or she already has its 20 “milk” teeth present inside their jaw, waiting to come out at the right time. You can expect your baby's first tooth to emerge between 6 and 7 months old. Typically, the bottom front tooth emerges first so parents should look out for that. By the time your child is three years of age, they will have their full set of primary teeth.

During this time, your baby may experience some discomfort in the form of sore gums. To give your child relief, you can rub the clean pad of your forefinger gently on the gums. You can also give your child a teething ring, but you need to carefully clean it regularly to ensure your child is not putting germs in their mouth.

If your child is in a lot of discomfort and will not stop crying, we suggest you give our doctor and a visit at Stansell Dentistry Associates.

When Should You Schedule Your Child's First Dental Visit?

We strongly suggest that you give us a visit once your child's first tooth emerges and no later after they turn one. The first visit is usually reserved for an oral wellness exam and serves to familiarize your child with the dentist's office.

Aside from this, we will also educate you on how to clean your baby's teeth and gums and manage habits like thumb sucking.

Why Are Dental Visits So Important For Babies?

Your baby's primary teeth play a big role in the health of your baby's adult teeth. If your child's teeth become decayed, the infection can spread to the adult teeth growing behind them. If your child's tooth is lost before the adult tooth has had time to emerge, it can cause a shifting in the remaining teeth, leading to a misaligned and crooked smile.

Many parents only bring in their child for a dental visit after they have developed a cavity. But as you can see, the importance of your baby's teeth should not be underestimated.

At Stansell Dentistry Associates, our doctor or are trained to take care of your child's oral health need in a comfortable and painless way. To schedule an appointment with us, call us at 984-477-0177 today.

Locations & Hours

Brier Creek

9400 Brier Creek Parkway, Ste 204
Raleigh, NC 27617-4879

Phone: 984-477-0177
Fax: 919-249-1375

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

North Raleigh

1911 Falls Valley Drive, Ste 107
Raleigh, NC 27615

Phone: 984-206-4242
Fax: 919-249-2145

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

Knightdale

1101 Great Falls Ct, Ste 102
Knightdale, NC 27545

Phone: 984-733-0330
Fax: 919-415-1849

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

Stansell Dentistry Associates, 9400 Brier Creek Parkway, Ste 204, Raleigh, NC 27617-4879; 984-477-0177; stanselldentistry.com; 10/3/2024; Page Phrases: dentist Raleigh NC;