What Age Should Kids Start Going to the Dentist?

If anyone could make flossing look like fun, it’s Beyoncé. Queen Bey recently posted an adorable GIF of herself and 3-year-old Blue Ivy in matching sunglasses wiggling identical flossing sticks in their mouths. The clip is a sweet reminder that the toddler years are the right time to start teaching good oral hygiene, and it’s up to parents to model the dental-care basics.

Here are the guidelines on when it’s time to introduce a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to your child—plus the right age to schedule that first trip to the dentist’s chair.

Brushing: 

When your child is an infant, you should brush their teeth nightly. There are several types of soft bristled, and rubber bristled brushes designed for parents to use on their infants. At this stage there is no need for toothpaste, warm water will work just fine to remove and debris. By starting your child early they will be used to having something in their mouth, and (hopefully) be less resistant to brushing later on. 

As your child's teeth begin to erupt, switch to using a toddler sized tooth brush. It is also time for toothpaste! The best option is to use a grain of rice size fluoridated toothpaste. When your child is age 2-5 years old use a pea size amount of toothpaste. Even though they may insist that they can brush themselves, make sure to help them out anyways. 

Flossing:

As soon as your child has two teeth that touch you should begin helping them floss. This helps remove plaque that is beneath the gum, or that the toothbrush cannot reach. Most children will not develop the dexterity to floss on their own until they are around 10 or 11 years old. There are several types of flossing agents that may help until them. 

Going to the Dentist: 

Your child should have their first dental visit by the time their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday. This first visit helps establish a dental home for your child (read more about the importance of a dental home here). The dentist will also talk to you about proper preventative methods to help develop a strong dental foundation for your child and ensure that they are developing properly. 

The age of a child's first dental x-rays are varied based on their dental and medical history. Children typically need x-rays more frequently than adults because they are more prone to cavities and their teeth are constantly changing. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children with high instances of cavities have x-rays taken every 6 months, while those with low risk should have x-rays less frequently. It is important to understand that digital x-rays have significantly less radiation than film or non-digital x-rays. Today's equipment also uses several measures to filter out unnecessary x-rays, helping to reduce exposure. 

References:

http://digital.ipcprintservices.com/publication/?m=17256&l=1

http://digital.ipcprintservices.com/publication/?m=17242&l=1

http://www.ada.org/en/Home-MouthHealthy/az-topics/f/flossing

https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/what-age-should-kids-start-going-to-the-dentist-116647797362.html