At what age should children have regular dental check-ups?

Regular dental check-ups are recommended to begin by age 1 or when the first tooth erupts. This early intervention is crucial for several reasons. The first dental visit helps establish a dental home for the child, allowing the dentist to assess oral health and developmental issues early on. Monitoring dental growth and development can help prevent tooth decay, which is increasingly common in young children.

Starting dental visits at this age also introduces parents to proper oral hygiene practices and nutrition related to oral health, ensuring they are equipped to care for their child's teeth as they continue to grow. This proactive approach lays a foundation for a lifetime of good oral health and reduces the likelihood of dental anxiety as the child grows older.

While other options suggest different starting ages for dental check-ups, they do not align with the recommendations from dental organizations, which emphasize the significance of beginning visits as early as one year of age or with the emergence of the first tooth.