Table of Contents

When Should the First Dental Examination Be Performed in Children?

Along with the Eruption of the First Tooth: When your child’s first tooth erupts, usually between 6 months and 1 year old, it is recommended that you plan your first visit to the dentist. This visit is made to get information about the child’s oral health and to prevent problems that may occur in the early period. The first dental visit is important to monitor the child’s tooth development and to instill proper oral care habits in parents. When the child turns 3 years old, regular dental check-ups should begin.
Together with the 1 Year Check-up: It is important for early diagnosis to show your child to the dentist during the check-up to be performed at the age of 1 within the scope of baby check-up.
World Health Organization Recommendation: The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that the first dental examination be performed between 6 months and 1 year after the first tooth erupts.

Why Is a Dental Examination Necessary at an Early Age?

Caries Prevention: Thanks to early diagnosis, possible caries can be treated more easily. The main goal of pediatric dentistry is to ensure the continuation of oral and dental health by protecting the teeth in children before caries formation.
Dental Care Habits: Your child is provided with correct tooth brushing and oral care habits from a young age. Correct oral care habits acquired during childhood contribute to lifelong oral health.
Tooth and Jaw Development: Regular monitoring of your child’s tooth and jaw development helps to solve possible problems with early intervention. It is especially important to prevent existing problems in the relationships between the lower and upper jaws in terms of orthodontics, and if problems have occurred, to be able to easily solve them before growth and development are completed. For example, skeletal problems such as the lower jaw being excessively forward, large or behind compared to the upper jaw can only be solved by starting treatment before growth and development are completed. Otherwise, orthognathic surgeries will have to be performed in the future.
Abnormal Swallowing Function Disorder: It is the contact of the anterior-lateral teeth as a result of the tongue not being able to be positioned back during swallowing, and the accompanying failure of the anterior-lateral teeth to fully close, and the formation of gaps in the closure. With the control at an early age, the dentist diagnoses the swallowing problem and shows “how to swallow correctly”.
Habits such as Finger Sucking: These will change the structure of the jaw. It causes the jaw to grow forward and the anterior teeth to be more prominent than the lower teeth. Again, all these problems are prevented from occurring by being diagnosed early in the check-ups.

What Happens in the First Examination?

Tooth and Gum Examination: Your child’s teeth and gums are examined in detail.
Oral Health Education: Parents and the child are informed about appropriate oral care methods.
Eating Habits: Your child’s eating habits are evaluated and warnings are given about habits that may harm dental health.
Fluoride Application: If necessary, fluoride application can be made to the teeth.
Regular Check-ups: After the first check-up, it is important to have a regular dental check-up every 6 months to protect your child’s dental health.
Positive Environment: Preparing a positive environment before taking your child to the dentist ensures that the first experience is positive.
Fear of the Dentist: If your child has a fear of the dentist, it is important to get support from the dentist on this issue. Visiting the dentist at an early age helps prevent the child from fearing the dentist.

In summary, do not postpone your child’s first dental check-up. Early diagnosis and proper care will ensure that your child has healthy teeth for a lifetime.