There are many milestones in a new child’s life. The first smile. The first step. The first word. When their first tooth pokes through the gum may be less of a momentous milestone, but it is an important one for the child’s dental health. Experts advise that when that first tooth breaks through is the signal that your child should have his or her first dental visit within six months of the tooth emerging, but no later than 12 months of age.1 It might seem hard to believe but your baby can actually get cavities any time when teeth are present.2
Preparation is key to having a successful first dental visit.
Paperwork
Make your dental appointment early in the day when your child is at their best and when wait times are generally shorter. When making the appointment, ask if you can do any necessary paperwork prior to the visit. You don’t want to be sitting in a waiting room trying to manage the paperwork and your child.
Many dental offices can provide any necessary paperwork for you to fill out and return online. Writing down any questions you might have for the dentist is also a good idea. Dentist can prove very helpful in providing expert advice on issues like teething, mouth cleaning, pacifier use, finger-sucking habits and other issues.
Pep Talk
Talk with your child about going to the dentist in a positive, fun way. Using books or other media can be helpful in introducing your child to their first dental visit. If you have dental anxiety, try to make sure your child doesn’t pick up on that anxiety. You can also prepare your child for the actual dental exam by having them practice opening and closing their mouth.
Bringing a favorite toy to the appointment can be comforting to a child, but snacks should be avoided as they tend to stay on a child’s teeth during the dental check-up. You should also make sure that your child is not hungry prior to their dental visit.
At the first visit your dentist will want to go over your child’s health history, making sure to note any allergies or other factors that may affect their dental care. If your child is uncomfortable sitting in the dental chair alone, you may be asked to sit in the chair, holding your child on your lap.
Dental professionals know that this is a new experience for your child and if they cry or wiggle, don’t be concerned. The dentist will examine your child’s teeth, jaws, bite, gums and oral tissues, checking to make sure the teeth are developing properly.3
Educating
Dentists don’t usually do x-rays on baby teeth unless they see an issue that they feel requires further investigation. The dentist or hygienist may show you the proper way to clean and floss your child’s teeth. Generally a six-month follow-up visit will be scheduled, but if the dentist sees an issue, more frequent dental visits may be required to monitor the situation.
Success
With a bit of pre-planning and a relaxed attitude your child’s first dental visit will be a success. Don’t stress if your child isn’t fully cooperative. The dental team has a lot of experience with children and they know how challenging dental visits can be for the child, and for parents. The important thing is to get your child to the dentist by their first birthday and for semi-annual check-ups on an ongoing basis.
Ask your Dentist
If you have questions about dental care or the oral health of your child, Sedki Dentistry in Commerce Twp is happy to help. As a top choice for family and children’s dentistry, our dental clinic provides services for all dental health needs and concerns. Dr. Sedki has more than 20 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, dental treatments, restorative dentistry, gum rejuvenation and more.
Get a healthy smile and keep it for life at our Commerce Michigan dental office. Call and schedule a Free Dental Consultation today!
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1, 3 A Child’s First Dental Visit Fact Sheet
Link:https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=a-childs-first-dental-visit-fact-sheet-1-1509
2 Your Baby’s First Dental Visit
Link: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/babies-and-kids/first-dental-visit-for-baby