Pop quiz: At what age should kids first see a dentist?
Mott Children’s Hospital, roughly half of parents who responded said they believed they could wait until children were 2 or 3 before going to the dentist.
In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children first see a dentist within six months of the eruption of their first tooth, or by age 1.
After that, the organization suggests children see a pediatric or general dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups.
Because kids retain some of those teeth until the age of 12 or 13, it’s important to keep them healthy, said Dr. Judy Yip, a pediatric dentist in Garden Grove, Calif. Untreated cavities can lead to serious tooth infections, she said, and can even harm incoming adult teeth.
Persons:
Mott, Judy Yip
Organizations:
Mott Children’s Hospital, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, for Disease Control
Locations:
C.S, America, Garden Grove, Calif