When should my child visit the dentist?

Perhaps one of the most common questions we are asked is "when should my child first visit the dentist?"

According to the Australian Dental Association (ADA), a child should first present to the dentist at around 12 months of age. "12 months?!" I hear you ask. Yes, even for us dentists this seems a little young, and practically these wriggly little toddlers will have a hard time comprehending what's going on and sitting still. From a practical point of you, the age of three is a great age to start coming, simply to "count the teeth" "go for a ride in the chair," go through some brushing and generally get used to the dental environment. However, if you have any concerns, then coming in before age three is OK too. 

Alarmingly, even with all the knowledge surrounding dental care, fluoride and prevention, there are still many children presenting with dental decay. A recent article published in the UK suggested that there are twice as many children presenting to hospitals in London for multiple tooth extractions than there were in 2010. Such a jump may seem staggering, but it has been attributed to consumption of sweet food and sugary drinks (of which there are plenty) which are comparatively inexpensive for many households. 

Northbridge Dentists love seeing kids! They can colour-in in the waiting room and watch Disney movies on the ceiling mounted TV. New patients are always welcome, and will be greeted with a smile =) 

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/parents-must-make-sure-their-children-visit-a-dentist-by-the-age-of-one-a3482381.html