“How often should a 7-year-old go to the dentist?”
I have a 7-year-old son who currently goes to the dentist once a year to have a check up and a cleaning. Should I be taking him to the dentist more? How many times a year would you recommend?
13 Answers
With my patients, I recommend routine 6 month cleanings. That is a must for me! Catching problems early are always better in the long run.
This depends on the patients oral hygiene habits, snacking patterns, and if there are oral appliances present or not. I always recommend 2 times per year, and more if the aforementioned reasons are determined to be a factor.
Children should be seen at least every 6 months unless they are at higher risk and have already had multiple decayed teeth or cannot maintain their oral hygiene in which case should be seen more frequently.
Another important point is that cavities grow more rapidly in baby teeth, so detecting them earlier makes for an easier fix.
Dr. Cyril Tahtadjian
Dr. Cyril Tahtadjian
The ADA and AAPD both recommend that children be seen every 6 months (twice a year) for their routine check-ups. Prevention is key to good dental/oral health!