Child's First Dental Visit

First Dental Visit
Preventive dental treatment for your child begins with periodic visits to the dentist. Children should be examined between two and three years of age. They should have their teeth cleaned and have fluoride treatments twice a year.

If the family lives in a rural area and drinks well water, the water should be tested for fluoride content. If the fluoride content is too low, supplemental fluoride should be given to the child based on age and the amount of water consumed in the home.

When the child's first permanent molars erupt at approximately age six, sealants should be considered to cover the biting surface of these teeth. As the child gets older and the second permanent molars erupt (around age twelve), sealants should be placed on these teeth.

Sealants have been shown to reduce the incidence of dental decay by closing pits and fissures in the teeth, thereby preventing the invasion of bacteria.

Ask you dentist about preventive procedures for your child.