Early dental care is important for several reasons. First, many oral disease conditions are indeed preventable with early treatment. For instance, dental sealants can prevent 80% of cavities in children¹. Second, preventive dental care practices– including early and routine treatment at the dentist, combined with good home care (brushing and flossing)– can save families money in the long-run¹. Third, early childhood dental care is essential to help your child keep their mouth healthy throughout their entire lives². The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics both agree that every child should visit a dentist by age one².

Proper care prevents future dental issues. Early dental checkups help to prevent cavities and tooth decay in young children. As a result, your child will learn at a young age how to properly take care of their teeth while they are young, which continues into their teenage and adult years². Early childhood dental care also helps to monitor the growth of adult teeth as children lose their baby teeth. It’s common for teeth to grow in crooked and misaligned, so a dentist can keep an eye on their progress and best recommend when your child will need to get braces to correct them³.