When should I take my child to the dentist?

The ideal time is six months after your child's first tooth burst. This is the best time for a dentist to double-check your child's oral development. Dental problems often start early, so the sooner you visit, the better. In addition, your dentist can provide or advise on special preventative treatments to prevent problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, tooth stimulation, gum disease, and long thumb sucking.