Are you and your family up to date on dental care? Determining when to book an appointment for the dentist can be difficult – especially for families with members of all ages and stages of development. Here is a general guide to help you get caught up and get those teeth in top-tier shape!
Babies and Young Children
To provide preventative care and maintain optimum oral health, your baby should visit the dentist when the first tooth appears or by their first birthday – whichever comes first. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child to the dentist every six months after that, although your family’s dentist will recommend individualized care plans for each child.
Teens and Young Adults
Older children should continue to visit the dentist every six months while adult teeth are still coming in. This allows your dental care provider to guide teens and young adults in good oral care habits that will last a lifetime, as well as provide dental braces or other services as needed.
Adulthood
Just because you’re all grown up doesn’t mean you don’t need the dentist anymore. Adults should continue to receive annual checkups, though your dentist may recommend more frequent visits based on specific needs. When problems arise – such as cavities, broken or missing fillings, lingering toothaches, etc. – it’s important to see your dentist right away. This will lessen the amount of time you spend suffering from dental discomfort and help you find a solution to prevent it from coming back.
Dentistry is also important to older adults, as teeth begin to weaken and decay more easily in advanced age. Oral care influences your overall health, so be sure to check in with your dentist every six to twelve months after age fifty to maintain good oral health for your entire life.
Need a checkup or looking to get caught up on some dental work? Call your Richmond dental care provider and book an appointment today.
