Baby Teeth Matter

by Mindy Wheeler, Marketing Manager, Sun Life Health

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend scheduling your child’s first dental visit any time after a baby’s first tooth breaks through, but no later than their first birthday.

Think of this as a “well-baby checkup” for your child’s teeth.

Parents should take their children to the dentist regularly, beginning when the first tooth appears. Then, the dentist can recommend a specific program of brushing, flossing and other treatments for parents to supervise and teach to their children.

These home treatments, when added to regular dental visits and a balanced diet, will help give your child a lifetime of healthy habits.

A child’s first set of teeth, often referred to as their primary teeth, are important even if they are going to fall out. They assist in chewing and for holding spaces for their adult teeth.

Many people think they don’t need to take care of primary teeth because they are going to fall out anyway. Cavity prevention is still important for primary teeth. Cavities on primary teeth can threaten the health of the child’s adult teeth even if you can’t see them yet.

We recommend you choose a pediatric dentist because they specialize in dealing with children and their tiny teeth. This specialty dentist can make the experience more enjoyable for your child as they often have different techniques that may aid in the child’s dental experience.

Sun Life Health has a brand-new location to help serve your pediatric dental needs. We are located at Sun Life Heath Pediatric Dentistry, 865 N. Arizola Road, Casa Grande, and can be contacted at 520.350.7560 and www.SunLifeHealth.org.