February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Drs. Schiavoni, Weitz and Sept are members of the American Dental Associate and the Idaho State Dental Association. We enjoy welcoming children to the office and helping them develop a good dental healthcare routine.

Parents frequently ask the question: “When should I bring my child in for their first dental visit?” Our dentists encourage parents to schedule an appointment as early as the appearance of those first baby teeth. Most children have their first four baby teeth at around 5-12 months of age. The other baby teeth come in quickly and by the age of 3 1/2 years all of the baby teeth have erupted. The first visit with the dentist is usually a casual appointment where the child meets the dentist, rides in the dental chair and has a very easy exam. If there are specific concerns, the dentist may wish to conduct a more thorough exam. Taking care of your child’s primary teeth can greatly affect the condition of permanent teeth so it is important to start a dental health care plan early.

Your child’s permanent dentition (adult teeth) generally begin to push out the baby teeth around age 6. By age 8, most children have 8 permanent teeth. The other permanent teeth fill in, generally along the following time table:

• 12 permanent teeth by age 9
• 16 permanent teeth by age 11
• 20 – 24 permanent teeth by age 12
• 28 permanent teeth by age 13

Third molars (wisdom teeth) are usually come in to place between the ages of 17-22. The dentist will address parent’s concerns about proper alignment and tooth development.

Regular visits to the dentist are important as your child grows and the teeth develop. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.