To help ensure your child grows up with the best possible opportunity for a healthy smile, early dental care is key. Taking your child to the dentist as early as their first birthday is wise and part of the very foundation of oral health.
Sedki Dentistry in Commerce, Michigan is the best choice for children of all ages. We are committed to creating healthy and confident smiles.
Before Your First Visit
Preparing for a child’s first dental visit is important. When you make your appointment, ask that any forms be sent to you in advance so you can fill them out prior to the visit. Make the appointment at a time when your child is most likely to be rested. Weeks before the visit, start playing a game with your child where they open their mouth and you count their teeth. The dentist will often do this on the first visit, so getting your child used to this practice in advance will be helpful.
Make a list of questions that you have for the dentist. Are you concerned about teething, thumb sucking or pacifier use? Your dentist can provide informed medical advice on these and other issues. Introducing your child to the dental experience through reading can also be helpful. Recommended books include Doctor DeSoto by William Steig and Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer.4 Make sure your child has a light meal before going to the dentist and they brush their teeth after the meal. Don’t provide any snacks on the way to the dentist or in the waiting room, as food residue on teeth can hinder the dental exam.
The Visit
Even if you have dental anxiety, make an effort not to communicate your fears to your child. Children react when their parent becomes anxious. Try to envision this first dental visit as more of a “meet and greet” to get your child used to going to the dentist on a regular basis. You may be asked to hold your child during the examination, as your proximity will be comforting to your child.
The dentist will use a small dental instrument with a mirror attached to look inside your child’s mouth and determine if there are any developmental issues or cavities. This first visit may also include a gentle cleaning, if warranted. This will include removing plaque and tartar as well as polishing the teeth. Rarely are x-rays done on this first visit, but if the dentist suspects any significant issues they may recommend that x-rays be taken. The dentist will also provide advice on caring for your child’s teeth and answer any questions you might have about your child’s oral health.
Although few parents look forward to this first dental visit, like regular doctor visits, these check-ups are an important part of maintaining your child’s health and set a pattern for good oral health throughout their life.
Dr. Sedki and his staff take extra steps to provide patient education and work with your child one-on-one to instill the importance of good oral hygiene. We help each child maintain a healthy smile by focusing on preventative care. Serving our local community here in Commerce, MI and the surrounding areas, we can help children develop a smile that will last a lifetime.
Call Sedki Dentistry today!
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4How to Prepare for Your Child’s First Dental Visit, Cori Howard, Today’s Parent, April 27, 2015
Link: https://www.todaysparent.com/toddler/toddler-health/childs-first-dental-visit/