When Should Your Child First Visit the Dentist? It Might Be Earlier Than You Think
Everyone needs to visit their dentist regularly, including children. But one question many parents ask is, “When should your child first visit the dentist?”
The best time to schedule your child’s first dentist visit is when they begin teething. If they aren’t teething before their first birthday, then you should take them in around then.
Don’t Kids Lose Their Baby Teeth Anyway?
Your child’s baby teeth play a crucial role in the development of their adult teeth. If you ignore your child’s dental health because they’re going to lose their baby teeth anyway, they can have dental problems throughout their life.
Also, if their baby teeth develop problems, they can suffer unnecessary pain and possibly infection, among other problems. So ensuring your child has healthy teeth as early as possible is crucial to their oral health as they grow.
Things to Consider Before Taking Your Child to the Dentist
There’s more to merely understanding when to take your child to their first dentist appointment. Many adults are afraid of going to the dentist because of bad experiences they had as children.
To avoid passing that fear onto your kids, there are some things to keep in mind before your child’s first dental visit. These will also help them as they grow up so they’re more inclined to continue visiting their dentist regularly as adults.
Choose a Kid-Friendly Dentist
The first and most important thing is choosing a good pediatric dentist who will be gentle with your child and help them feel at ease.
Children need to feel comfortable with unpleasant things as early as possible so they don’t develop a deep, ingrained fear of it. Pediatric dentists have an additional two to three years of specialized training and they only treat children. They’re the best for ensuring your kid gets off on the right foot when it comes to dental care.
Help Your Child Relax
Even with a good pediatric dentist, you might need to find ways to put your child at ease before taking them to the dentist.
Having someone poke around in your mouth with sharp instruments is disconcerting, even for adults who never had a bad experience. Some things you can do include:
- Answering your child’s questions honestly
- Telling your child about the appointment ahead of time and remind them of it
- Engaging in some of their favorite activities just before leaving the house
- Bringing their favorite toy to the office on their appointment day
Arrive Early
You should get to the office early to avoid passing any anxiety onto your child. Also, many pediatric dentists’ offices have a selection of books and games to play in the waiting room to help entertain children, keeping them relaxed ahead of their appointment.
Call Us Today!
If you’re looking for a good pediatric dentist, give us a call at 877-200-2064 or find a partner dentist near you!
Our kid-friendly pediatric partner dentists know that children need dental care that includes dispelling any fear and discomfort they may feel. They’ll provide your kid with the quality dental care you expect in the environment your child deserves.