Parents spend time from an early age thinking about their children’s teeth. They watch as the first tiny nub emerges, jotting it down in the baby book. They monitor behavior, clocking the telltale signs that let them know when the next ones are coming, memorializing each new addition with adorable photos. But for all the attention paid to those tiny teeth, it may not even be on a parent’s radar that a dental appointment should be made. After all, these are just baby teeth, right? While a common misconception, the truth is your child should be seeing a dentist much earlier than you might expect. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children should visit a dentist by age one, or within six months of the first tooth eruption. At AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry, we like to think of it like this—first tooth, first birthday, first visit. 

Creating Healthy Dental Habits From An Early Age

We understand that the idea of bringing a toddler to the dentist does not sound like a fun time, but it’s worth it. At AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry, we make sure the atmosphere is comfortable, friendly, and fun. After a quick exam, we’ll go over our observations and provide helpful information on hygiene, nutrition, and habits that can help your child have optimal oral health. The benefits of early dental care include:

Establishing A Healthy Relationship: 

Visiting the dentist from a very early age helps set up a positive relationship between your child and the dentist by creating a sense of familiarity. Children will grow up with routine dental visits as part of the norm, helping to avoid the risk of dental anxiety. 

• Preventative Care: Scheduling regular dental visits from a young age will make it easier to notice emerging issues as they come. Professional cleanings and exams will keep teeth healthier by allowing our team to monitor and address early decay and other complications. Fluoride treatments, sealants, or other preventative measures may be used to keep teeth as healthy as possible. 
• Encourages Healthy Habits: Visiting the dentist regularly will help teach both children and their parents how to properly care for their kid's teeth, establishing a precedent of healthy habits from the start. This can include the best brushing and flossing techniques, as well as how nutrition can impact oral health. If necessary, we will work together to help break habits that may eventually affect dental development, such as thumb sucking.

Regular check-ups for children follow the same pattern as adults, preferably every six months. The importance of maintaining these appointments extends beyond just oral health, as problems in the mouth can impact overall well-being. Tooth decay can be uncomfortable, creating problems with eating and concentration and even causing health concerns throughout the rest of the body. It’s always more pleasant to prevent problems than it is to have them fixed—although our experienced team at AOMS is here to help with any dental need you might have! 

Schedule Your Child’s Dentist Appointment Today

If your child has gotten their first tooth—or reached their first birthday—it’s time to schedule an appointment for their first dental appointment. We make visiting the dentist fun at AOMS Pediatric & Children’s Dentistry to help ease apprehension and make appointments an enjoyable experience for all. 

Our welcoming office is equipped with dental X-ray technology, which may be used to diagnose your child’s condition. Through unique themed rooms, games, and child-friendly dental models, we can entertain, educate, and treat our young patients in a way that relates to them. 

Contact us today by giving us a call at (806) 410-1919 or sending an email to us at [email protected] for an appointment. Learn about what to expect before your first visit to our office in Amarillo, TX. Download our yearly update form here. Let’s keep that adorable little smile happy and healthy together!