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Basic Dental Care From Birth to 16 Years

Table of Contents


Overview

All children need early and regular dental care. During well-child visits the doctor will check your child's dental health. A visit to a dentist is recommended within 6 months of when your child's first tooth comes in but no later than your child's first birthday.1

Some parents may worry about their child's first visit to the dentist's office. You can make a trip to the dentist more positive for your child if you choose their dentist carefully. Talk to your child about what to expect. If you want, use books that are meant to help a young child prepare for the first dental exam. If you have concerns about how your child will behave, talk to your dentist before scheduling the visit. Your dentist may allow your child to come in once or twice before being examined. These types of visits help prepare your child and often make them more comfortable with the dentist, other staff, and the office environment.

Regular dental visits are important to teach your child good dental care and to help prevent cavities and other problems. The exam also helps to identify and treat problems early and prevent them from becoming more serious.

Dental care tips for different age groups

Birth to 3 years

Ages 3 to 6 years

Ages 6 to 16 years


References

Citations

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics (2023). Maintaining and improving the oral health of young children. Pediatrics, 151(1): e2022060417. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-060417. Accessed March 20, 2023.

Credits for Basic Dental Care From Birth to 16 Years

Current as of: August 6, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
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