What to expect from your child's First Dental Visit?

Doesn’t matter whether your toddler has a full set of teeth in their mouth or just a few of them have begun popping out, it’s never too late to start thinking about taking your child to a pediatric dentist.

Even though baby teeth don’t stay forever, it is still important to take care of them so that your child doesn’t face any problems with the permanent ones.

So, how do you take care of your baby’s adorable smile? Firstly, set up an oral hygiene routine early on for your baby and then set up his/her first dental visit.

When Should You Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Visit?

It might seem too early but the best time to schedule a visit to your local pediatric dentist is either when your child turns six months old or the time when the first tooth erupts in their mouth.

If you suspect any oral health issues even before your child attains an age of six months, you must take him/her to visit a pediatric dentist. Several parents have a habit of giving their child a bottle while he/she sleeps. This can lead to rampant nursing bottle caries.

Other signs and symptoms of poor oral health include - ulcers in the mouth, whitish spots on erupting teeth, and bruises in areas of tooth eruption. Even though your child’s baby teeth are going to be here only for a few years, it is important to take the utmost care of them to prevent future dental issues.

What to Do Before a Dental Visit?

Prepare Your Child

Children are generally more aware and alert during mornings. So, ensure that you schedule an early morning appointment with the pediatric dentist.

Always educate your child about the dental visit beforehand to alleviate their stress and anxiety about the visit. Also, explain to them why they need to visit a dentist and try to incite feelings of curiosity and excitement about their appointment.

Prepare Yourself

Remember that your child will learn from your mannerisms and try to imitate them at the dental visit. Therefore, be honest about your fears and expectations with the dentist.

Ensure that you provide your child the moral support they need in the dental clinic. Remain calm and composed throughout the appointment because children can generally pick up the mannerisms of their parents.

Prepare Your Dentist

If your child needs extensive dental care, then ensure that you inform your dentist about your child’s complete dental history. Inform the dentist if your child is too stubborn, anxious, or scared in situations similar to a dental visit.

You can inform the dentist about the following behavioural issues with your child as per their age:

-9-24 months: Children under this age group might get too upset if taken away from their parents for a dental examination.

-2-3 years: Even though 2 year olds can stay away from their parents for an examination. They might say no to certain dental procedures.

-3 years: 3 year old children are not socially mature enough. Therefore, they may say no to certain dental procedures such as getting a dental filling.

-4 years and older: Children who are 4 years and older can tolerate a brief separation period from their parents and can even sit alone through dental examinations and treatments.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

-The first dental visit of your child is an important milestone and can help you child get accustomed with the dental office, examinations, and procedures early on.

-The first dental visit of a child should be scheduled within the first 12 months of age. Most dental visits take less than 45 minutes for complete examination.

-A typical first dental visit involves a complete examination of your child’s teeth and jaws, their temporomandibular joint, and other hard and soft oral tissues to check for the oral development status of your child.

-Depending upon the examination, your child might need to get his/her teeth professionally cleaned by the dentist to remove any bacterial buildup in the form of plaque, calculus, and stains.

-A pediatric dentist will also educate you and your child about how to develop a proper oral hygiene routine and some exciting tips to keep your child’s smile bright and shiny.