Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist
When should be my child’s first dentist visit?
Dentists suggest that your child’s first dental visit to be around age one. It might sound a little early, but teeth problems can exist at a young age and getting their teeth development examined can help prevent problems later on. Exams are important to help check for and prevent dental caries and gum disease, so it’s good to take your child to the dentist when he’s around one year old.
How to prepare for my child’s visit to the dentist.
Remember to bring all the necessary paperwork like your child’s medical history. You want to try to paint the first visit as a positive experience ahead of time and avoid using words like pain, needle, or drill that may make your child anxious. Taking these steps will help make the first visit a smooth one.
What can I expect on the first dentist visit.
Your child’s first appointment may just be introductory to familiarize him to the dentist. You may have to remain near your child throughout the visit so he can feel comfortable. Depending on how ready your child appears, the dentist may poslish the teeth, do an x-ray, remove plaque, tartar build up, and stains, and examine the jaw, gums, teeth, and bite. First visits last in average 15 to 30 minutes
The second visit
If everything goes well on your child’s first dental visit, the next appointment will probably in six months. Otherwise, the dentist will suggest another visit in a couple of months if he thinks it’s necessary.
Finding a children’s dentist
It’s a good idea to look for pediatric dentist instead of a general dentist. Pediatric dentists are required to attend 2 to 3 more years of school to learn child development and psychology. Their office also has equipment made especially for children. You can find a pediatric dentist near you by visiting the Kid Dentist network.
