As a new parent, you’re probably spending your fair share of time in your pediatrician’s office! Between well-baby visits, vaccines and baby’s first sniffles, coughs and fevers, most of us visit the pediatrician quite often during the first year of our children’s lives. Whenever you take your little one in for a well visit, the doctor will take a peek in his or her mouth to see how things are progressing. At what point do you need to take your little munchkin in to see a pediatric dentist? Here are some guidelines to help you decide.

First Teeth

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests bringing your child in for a visit when his or her first tooth appears. For most babies, this happens between six and twelve months of age. The point of this visit is for the dentist to take a look at the new teeth and check for any problems that might be able to be treated early.

One Year of Age

If you didn’t make it in to see the pediatric dentist before your baby’s first birthday, go ahead and make an appointment as soon as you can. By one year of age, most babies have at least a couple of chompers that the dentist can check. Getting into the habit of having a dentist peer inside of his or her mouth will get your fledgling toddler on his or her way to a lifetime of good dental health.

Every Six Months

Once you have established your baby as a patient at a family or pediatric dentist, bring him or her in every six months. While the dentist won’t be cleaning the teeth for some time, it’s always good to have a checkup that often. In some cases, your dentist will want to see your child more often, so ask what the right timeframe is for your particular baby.

Whenever You Go

While you might not relish the thought of having a baby on your lap during your dental cleanings (and neither does your baby… or your dentist!), bringing him or her along to say hello to the dentist and staff is a wise idea. It helps get your little one used to the office. Also bring along someone who can watch your baby in the waiting room or take him or her out for a walk if the weather is nice.

If You Suspect a Problem

Your baby’s teeth will undergo a lot of changes over the next ten or twelve years. Between growing in baby teeth to having those teeth loosen and fall out, only to be replaced by adult teeth, you’ll notice various stages along the way. If you have concerns that your child might have a cavity or is having other problems, don’t hesitate to make an appointment in between routine visits.

Remember, for the first several years of life, it’s up to you to make sure that your little one’s pearly whites stay healthy. Do this by brushing and flossing your baby’s teeth and bringing him or her in to see the dentist regularly.