Early Dental Care

Ensure a Healthy Smile For Life

Dental care for young children and adolescents is important. Seeing a pediatric dentist early can set your child up for oral health success.

The highly skilled doctors at AOMS Pediatric & Children's Dentistry work with children of all ages to protect their oral health, prevent cavities, and teach positive oral hygiene habits early. Our practice in Amarillo, Texas, utilizes advanced dental X-ray technology to accurately assess a patient’s condition and identify any problems.

When Should My Child First Visit a Dentist?

The easiest way to remember the best time to bring your child to the dentist is to think first tooth, first year, first visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association both recommend having your child visit a dentist 6 months after their first tooth has erupted.

The first visit with us is fun, fast, and easy. We have the child sit on a parent’s lap when we perform our exam. Pediatric dentists can quickly check for the telltale signs of plaque buildup, proper tooth eruption sequence, or abnormalities without making your child hold their mouth open for a long time.

At your first appointment, your pediatric team can also teach you proper cleaning techniques, nutrition, and other preventive measures to preserve your child’s teeth. Making a few changes to your child’s diet (e.g., limiting juice consumption and not putting babies to bed with a bottle) can prevent the need for dental work later on. This first visit is also a great way to establish a positive relationship between your child and the dentist.

Why Do Babies and Young Children Need Dental Care?

Many parents and caregivers wonder why their baby needs to visit a dentist so early. More and more, dentists are seeing children as young as 2 years old who already have multiple cavities. Seeing a pediatric dentist during your baby’s first year can help prevent this decay from taking place or progressing. Your dentist can assess your child’s risk for tooth decay using quick and easy techniques, such as simply looking for plaque buildup around the gum line.

Even though baby teeth will eventually fall out, serious cases of tooth decay can cause complications that could affect your child’s permanent teeth, such as oral infections (abscesses). Tooth decay and cavities can also cause discomfort, problems with eating, and even difficulty concentrating in school. A chronic infection in your child’s mouth can weaken their immune system, which can lead to other health concerns. Starting regular dental visits early can prevent these issues.