by KnowYourTeeth.com

With a baby, everything is a first, and that includes the first adorable smile. To ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recommends that your child’s first trip to a dentist occurs six months after his or her first tooth erupts.

According to an article in the February 2006 issue of AGD Impact, the monthly newsmagazine of the AGD, this is the ideal time to visit, since it allows the dentist to examine the development of the child’s mouth. Visiting sooner than later will also help identify any problems, such as baby bottle tooth decay or teething irritations.

Although pediatric dentists specialize in providing oral health care treatment for children, most children are treated by a general dentist, who is the primary dental care provider for patients of all ages and often has an established relationship with the entire family.

Read more: http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=t&iid=296&aid=1181