testing their dental health knowledge. The average score of the 1,500 participants in the survey group, representing a wide range of American demographics, was a “D”.
The exam included some such as when to brush your teeth and how often you should change your toothbrush as well as trickier topics such as cavity formation. One score in particular has caught our Ankeny family dentist’s attention; Dr. Amanda Foust would like to explain the answer to a children’s dental health question many Americans missed.
When Should I Take My Child to the Dentist?
True or false: I should take my child for his/her first dentist visit before kindergarten. If you answered true, do not feel bad. You are among 75% of those surveyed who answered this question incorrectly. In fact, the American Dental Association urges parents to have their children’s teeth checked much sooner. Bring your child to a dental checkup at least six months after his or her first tooth erupts, or before his or her first birthday, whichever comes first.
Your Child’s First Dental Checkup is Important
Many parents believe that baby teeth are somewhat insignificant since they will fall out anyway. Primary teeth, or baby teeth, are important. They are placeholders for permanent teeth, which is why our is interested in your child’s tooth alignment, presence of cavities and other dental issues. At your child’s first dental checkup, we will not only look for signs of malocclusion, but also check that teeth are erupting normally. In addition, this is a great time for your child to get to know our family dentist, and feel more comfortable in our Ankeny dental office.
To learn more about children’s dental care or to schedule an appointment, contact our Ankeny dentist office at (515) 965-0230. We serve patients from Polk City, Bondurant, Elkhart, and Alleman.
