There are so many important milestones in a child’s life; whether it’s their first steps, their first day of school, or their first date, each one is special and unique. And regardless of what stage your child is experiencing, their smile goes with them, so you want it to be as healthy and beautiful as it can be.
Let’s take a look at how your child’s smile and oral health needs change as quickly as they do.
What Are the Key Stages of Dental Growth and Development?
From the time they’re born until adulthood, your child goes through numerous stages of growth and development:
Birth to one year — We like to see children for the first time when they get their first tooth or by the time they turn one. During this initial visit, we’ll get to know your child and answer any questions you have. We’ll also offer tips on caring for their teeth and gums.
- One to three years — Many of your child’s primary teeth erupt during this time, and during your routine visits, we want them to be excited about coming into our office. It’s fun to let them explore the dental instruments and show them how to care for their smiles. At this stage, we want them to build healthy habits and realize that going to the dentist isn’t something to be afraid of.
- Ages six to 12 — This is when your child will start to lose their primary teeth and get permanent teeth, so routine cleanings and exams are as important as ever. During this stage, we carefully monitor your child’s mouth to ensure their teeth are coming in correctly, and if necessary, we’ll begin orthodontic care.
- Ages 13 and up — Now that your child is a teenager, we want them to be diligent about keeping their teeth and gums clean and healthy. During their teenage years, they may need braces to align their teeth, and we’ll monitor how their wisdom teeth are coming in.
Growth and Development Decatur, IL
If you have questions about your child’s oral health, our experienced team will be happy to assist you! At Jerger Pediatric Dentistry, we want to partner with you to help your little one achieve the healthiest smile possible.
To schedule a visit or get more information, please feel free to contact our office at (217) 875-3080.