New Patients

New parents often ask us, “When should my child first see a dentist?”

The short answer is: “First visit by the time they have their first tooth or their first birthday, whichever comes first”.
That’s the view of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Pediatricians agree. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children who are at risk of early childhood cavities visit a pediatric dentist by age 1.

The idea of such early dental visits is still surprising to many new parents. However, national studies have shown that preschool-aged children are getting more cavities. More than 1 in 4 children in the United States has had at least one cavity by the age of 4. Many kids get cavities as early as age 2.

To prevent early childhood cavities, parents first have to find out their child’s risk of developing cavities. They also need to learn how to manage diet, hygiene and fluoride to prevent problems.

At Pediatric Smiles, we understand the importance of providing Jacksonville’s best pediatric dental care for children. Children who visit their pediatric dentist for the first time, or anytime for that matter, are often hesitant or nervous, and it is for this reason that we have gone above and beyond the typical Jacksonville pediatric dental office to ensure your kids actually look forward to visiting the dentist!