in order to prevent dental problems your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears or no later than his/her first birthday. this is the recommendation of the american academy of pediatric dentistry. the purpose is to begin a thorough prevention program. dental problems can begin early. a big concern is early childhood caries (formerly known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). once a child’s diet includes anything besides breast milk erupted teeth are at risk for decay. the earlier you start dental visits the better the chance of preventing dental problems. children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.
what is the recommended age for a child's first visit to the dentist? does it have to be a pediatric dentist?