Dental Milestones for Kids

While every patient is unique and requires custom dental care, there are a few dental milestones that virtually every patient achieves throughout their childhood and young adulthood. Below are just a few of the notable dental milestones your child will experience.

First Dental Visit

Children should ideally visit the dentist around the time they turn one or when their first tooth begins growing in, whichever happens first. Most parents think of their child’s first steps, first words, and their first day of school as huge milestones, but their first dentist appointment is a big one as well! It allows our team to assess your child’s gums and whatever teeth they have and begin creating a custom treatment plan that fits their unique needs.

First Tooth Lost

Your child should have 20 baby teeth around age three. Many children start losing these teeth around age six or seven, but it’s perfectly normal for this milestone to happen later as well. This is also around the time when a child’s first set of adult molars begin growing in. To protect these new molars, we recommend that kids get dental sealants. Dental sealants are tooth-colored coatings that protect the grooves of molars. Otherwise, harmful bacteria and food particles can get trapped in these areas, causing cavities.

Orthodontic Consultation

Did you know that kids can receive orthodontic consultations as young as seven years old? There’s no guarantee that they will start wearing braces around this time, but the earlier their smile is assessed, you can begin budgeting for and preparing for their orthodontic treatment. Our office offers Invisalign^® clear aligner therapy, which tends to work best for responsible older kids, teens, and adults.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom tooth extractions are typically recommended for patients in their late teens and early twenties because the jaw is about done growing at this point and the recovery process tends to be easier for young adults. During your child’s routine dental visits, we will examine their X-rays and determine when the best time to schedule removal of their wisdom teeth if it would be beneficial for them.

Contact us with any questions about these important dental milestones for your child!

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