One of the most asked questions that new parents have is when they should take their child for their first dental visit? Dental professionals almost always recommend bringing in a child around his or her first birthday. However, if the child has pain before this age range, you should bring in the child for a checkup to see if their teeth are growing with issues and can be affecting their pain level.
When you bring your child in for their first dental visit, the dentist will be sure first to make the child feel comfortable by making him or her laugh to ease their anxiety or stress that they may be having. Once the child is comfortable, the dentist will be able to evaluate the child’s development in the mouth. The dentist may do this by pressing onto the gums gently to feel for anything that may seem unordinary or to see if there is a pain in the child’s mouth. During this evaluation, the dentist will also walk the parents through some helpful home care tips that will allow new teeth to grow in healthy and prevent any issues. The dentist may also speak to parents about any habits that may be causing harm to the child’s dental developments. As they say, the best dentistry always starts at home! It’s important to teach children from a very young age that good oral health is just as important as any other health factor.
Check out the list below of essential information about your child’s first dental examination. You can always call the pediatric dentist prior to the appointment to ensure you as a parent are thoroughly informed about what may happen during the first visit.
- The dentist will evaluate your child’s gums and soft tissue surrounding to ensure all oral development is healthy.
- The child will also be assessed for their risk of decay or bacteria.
- Your child will be asked to bite down so that the pediatric dentist can evaluate the bite and the dental growth.
- A Pediatric dentist can also tell if there are negative signs of poor nutrition at home. The dental professional will always provide suggestions about what may or may not be healthy for your child’s oral health.
Once all of the important checks are finished, the dentist will also take the necessary x-rays of your child’s mouth to ensure that there aren’t any issues that cannot be seen with the naked eye. The dentist can also clean your child’s teeth if there are any present, or at least do a soft cleansing of the child’s tongue and cheeks. The pediatric dentist will educate your child about healthy food choices that could benefit the growth of their healthy strong teeth. The dentist will also go through the motion and teach the child the proper way to brush their teeth and floss as well. The dental professional wants to be sure that every measure is taken to prevent any sort of dental issues in future. With repetition and what gets taught at home.
