Your child's first dental visit can be stressful for you as well as for him or her. Understanding the process will help you feel better about the experience and allow you to prepare your little one for what's to come. Although your child's first visit to the dentist is essentially a brief baseline exam designed to build trust and introduce oral health, a bad first experience can leave a lasting impression. Adopting a lighthearted, positive attitude about dental visits and oral health will have a beneficial impact throughout your child's life.
When to Schedule a Child's First Dentist Appointment
Most dentists recommend scheduling the first appointment six months after baby teeth have begun to emerge, but not later than the child's first birthday. Teeth can develop decay as soon as they come in. Many parents take their children to their family dentist, but pediatric dentists have extra training and experience related to your toddler's specific needs. In addition, pediatric dentists orient their entire practice around making kids feel comfortable. It is critical that you adopt an upbeat, positive attitude about dental visits and maintain that enthusiasm throughout your children's developmental years. Children have no natural fear of the dentist and will only develop an aversion if they detect your hesitation or anxiety. When scheduling the appointment, ask for a description of the process and prepare your little one in a calm, reassuring manner. If they look forward to the experience, it will be much easier on everyone. Some experts recommend a role-playing game with you as the dentist, looking in your child's mouth.
What to Expect When Taking Your Child to the Dentist
At a child's first dental appointment, not much is likely to happen. This is considered a baseline evaluation that introduces children to the dentist and, ideally, leaves them with a positive perception of the process. You may be asked to sit in the dental chair yourself and hold your son or daughter during a portion of the exam. Don't be alarmed if the dentist asks you to leave for a few moments, as this is a common approach to establishing a solid and trusting relationship between the dentist and the child. Although the dentist will check the teeth for decay, the more important evaluation involves the child's bite, gums and jaw. Any potential problems, when identified at this early age, are much easier to treat. Finally, the oral hygienist may perform a brief cleaning and explain the most effective way to maintain your child's oral health.
Maintaining Your Child's Dental Health between Appointments
The key to making your little ones' dental encounters pleasant and successful is to begin a diligent, early practice of taking care of their teeth and of teaching them the importance of good oral health. Besides the standards of brushing teeth and gums, good nutrition is critical for strong teeth. Also of concern are any developing habits of thumb sucking or tongue thrust.
Just like adults, children should visit the dentist every six months. If your local area does not fluoridate the municipal water supply (or if your family consumes bottled water), fluoride supplementation may be recommended. Your dentist will also recommend the proper type of toothbrush, toothpaste and any other preventive treatments.
When it's time to schedule your child's first dental visit, choose a practitioner who is experienced in putting children at ease. The choice of dentist for your child will affect his or her entire life and deserves serious consideration. Making the right choice will guarantee that your child's first dental visit is a success.
When to Schedule a Child's First Dentist Appointment
Most dentists recommend scheduling the first appointment six months after baby teeth have begun to emerge, but not later than the child's first birthday. Teeth can develop decay as soon as they come in. Many parents take their children to their family dentist, but pediatric dentists have extra training and experience related to your toddler's specific needs. In addition, pediatric dentists orient their entire practice around making kids feel comfortable. It is critical that you adopt an upbeat, positive attitude about dental visits and maintain that enthusiasm throughout your children's developmental years. Children have no natural fear of the dentist and will only develop an aversion if they detect your hesitation or anxiety. When scheduling the appointment, ask for a description of the process and prepare your little one in a calm, reassuring manner. If they look forward to the experience, it will be much easier on everyone. Some experts recommend a role-playing game with you as the dentist, looking in your child's mouth.
What to Expect When Taking Your Child to the Dentist
At a child's first dental appointment, not much is likely to happen. This is considered a baseline evaluation that introduces children to the dentist and, ideally, leaves them with a positive perception of the process. You may be asked to sit in the dental chair yourself and hold your son or daughter during a portion of the exam. Don't be alarmed if the dentist asks you to leave for a few moments, as this is a common approach to establishing a solid and trusting relationship between the dentist and the child. Although the dentist will check the teeth for decay, the more important evaluation involves the child's bite, gums and jaw. Any potential problems, when identified at this early age, are much easier to treat. Finally, the oral hygienist may perform a brief cleaning and explain the most effective way to maintain your child's oral health.
Maintaining Your Child's Dental Health between Appointments
The key to making your little ones' dental encounters pleasant and successful is to begin a diligent, early practice of taking care of their teeth and of teaching them the importance of good oral health. Besides the standards of brushing teeth and gums, good nutrition is critical for strong teeth. Also of concern are any developing habits of thumb sucking or tongue thrust.
Just like adults, children should visit the dentist every six months. If your local area does not fluoridate the municipal water supply (or if your family consumes bottled water), fluoride supplementation may be recommended. Your dentist will also recommend the proper type of toothbrush, toothpaste and any other preventive treatments.
When it's time to schedule your child's first dental visit, choose a practitioner who is experienced in putting children at ease. The choice of dentist for your child will affect his or her entire life and deserves serious consideration. Making the right choice will guarantee that your child's first dental visit is a success.