Teething

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

Some parents dread 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 Reference choose his or her dentist carefully. Talk to your child about what to expect. And 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 him or her 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 Reference cavities Opens New Window and other problems. The exam also helps to identify and treat problems early and prevent them from becoming more serious. For more information on routine checkups and tooth care, see the topics Reference Basic Dental Care and Reference Tooth Decay.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.