Contrary to common thought, you should not wait for all of your baby’s teeth to come in before you have them visiting the children's dentist lansdowne, va for the first time. Once baby’s teeth begin erupting through their gums, it’s time to make an appointment!

Caring for your baby’s primary teeth is important not only to help them establish healthy habits, but as soon as those teeth appear, they are susceptible to decay. Decay in primary teeth can lead to a higher risk of decay developing in adult teeth. Establishing a routine with a Pediatric Dentist as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears will also help your child become familiar with the new environment and deter them from developing fears and anxiety.

Why primary teeth are important

Primary teeth give your child the structure they need to develop proper speech patterns and learn how to chew their food so they can get the nutrition they need. They also help maintain space for their permanent, adult teeth to come in. Caring for these baby teeth is just as important as teaching them to care for the adult teeth. They contribute to the child’s overall development. So even though they have these teeth for just a few years, they are very important to floss and brush. Your Pediatric Dentist will teach you how to floss those tiny teeth! Getting your baby to the Pediatric dentist before their first birthday will help instill proper, lifelong oral care.

Helping your child with anxiety

Being introduced to a new environment with unfamiliar sounds and people can cause some stress for your child. The dental professional team at your Pedodontist’s office is experienced with comforting children and helping them learn about good habits. The office itself will have games and puzzles for kids to play with while they wait to be seen. Taking time to show your child what they are likely to see at the dentist’s office can be a nice way to show them how things work!

• Try to schedule visits to the dentist at a time that will ensure your child is already at their happiest, working around their nap and meal schedules. Morning appointments are an especially good option.
• A home care dental kit from a drugstore has tools much like the hygienist uses. Let your child hold the mirror and put it in their mouth.
• Ask your dentist if you can bring your child along to your next cleaning so they can see how you interact with your dentist. At home, let them count your teeth and put the dental mirror in your mouth too!

Helping your child understand what happens at a dental office and that visit the dentist is important and not scary, you and your Pedodontist can give your child the tools for lifelong habits that will benefit their health and their smile!

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