At Herndon Smile Design, our dentists and team often hear many questions about pediatric dentistry. Our young patients’ parents want to know the best way to tend to their child’s teeth, which is great! Dr. Amirreza Rafaat and Dr. Sanin Emelee have compiled a list of some of our commonly asked questions regarding pediatric dentistry here.
Why are primary (baby) teeth important?
Although they are temporary, primary teeth play an incredibly important role in the development of adult teeth. If your child has a healthy smile, it will aid in proper speech development, helping them to communicate faster and more effectively at a young age. Good teeth also aid in good digestion by helping children to chew properly. Additionally, maintaining good oral health can be a money-saving opportunity. Children with healthier primary teeth often have straighter smiles, because the primary teeth hold the place of adult teeth. This could potentially save you money on costly orthodontic treatments in the future.
When should children visit the dentist for the first time?
One of the most common questions we hear from new parents is, when should the child first visit the dentist? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that parents take their child to the dentist about six months after the first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. This brief visit allows Dr. Rafaat or Dr. Emelee to monitor the development of the teeth while promoting positive associations between children and the dentist.
If you have further questions about our pediatric dentistry in Herndon, Virginia, schedule an appointment with our skilled team at 703-464-0000. We would be happy to answer all of your questions.