For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised parents to begin children’s dentist visits before the third birthday. The AAP now counsels parents to take their toddler to a dentist before his or her first birthday, or within six months after their first tooth breaks through. Don’t wait!
Why? Prevention, prevention, prevention! Sadly, California dentists continue to find extreme cavities in very young children. This is completely unnecessary in a community with sufficient health and dental services.
High-risk children should be seen as early as possible. Following are some of the risk factors:
- Sleeping with a bottle (if you put your child to bed with a bottle, we strongly urge you to stop this practice)
- Drinking juice continuously during the day
- Abnormal tooth development
- Thumb sucking
- Tooth grinding
- A mother with substantial decay
- Other health problems
The best way to ensure lifelong oral health for your son or daughter is to train him or her early on proper daily dental hygiene, provide a healthy, low-sugar diet, and form a relationship with a reputable family dentist. Drs. Dankworth urges all California parents to be passionate about their children’s dental health.
To schedule a pediatric exam and consultation, call 760-633-3033. At La Costa Dental Excellence, we cater to our youngest patients and their parents.
Contact La Costa Dental Excellence:
760-633-3033
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
7730 Rancho Santa Fe Rd Ste 106
Carlsbad, California
92009