When should you begin taking your child to the dentist?

Parents want to give their children the best medical care, and their oral health care is no exception. One of Christie Dental's dentists was recently Dr. Ryan Osorio, a dentist in Christie Dental's offices in Merritt Island and Indian Harbour Beach, was recently featured in Florida Today. He answered common questions that he receives about dental care.

Here's one of his answers:

QUESTION: When should I take my child in for the first dental visit?

ANSWER:
One of the main goals of the first few visits is to establish the dental office as a friendly, comfortable place. The key to setting up this good relationship is getting them in early. The American Dental Association recommends that a child’s first visit to the dentist take place by the first birthday. After the initial visit, most children should come in for check-ups twice per year, but it may vary depending on your child’s oral health. In addition to establishing a relationship, these early visits will involve checking for proper tooth development and discussing ways to stop cavities before they start. We also will check for other areas of breakdown in the teeth, and we check the gums and other areas of the mouth for signs of any other diseases that are manifest in the mouth.

To read all of Dr. Osorio's answers at FloridaToday.com.