Happy Thursday! Often I am asked when a parent should take their child to the dentist for the first time. Dentists prefer that a child is seen by a dentist when they are a year old. However, the ADA recommends scheduling a visit to the dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, and no later than the child's first birthday. The following is a summary of what the parent and child may expect on a baby's first dental visit.
The dentist, either a general dentist who treats children and adults, or a pediatric dentist, will examine the mouth, teeth, and gums. The dentist will talk to and educate the parent or caregiver on how to effectively keep the teeth and gums clean. A dentist may address habits such as thumb sucking or finger sucking and bottle feeding and nursing. Also, your dentist or his staff will talk to you about the child's fluoride needs.
There are some things that I feel make the first dental visit easier:
1) Read books about the dentist to your child (you can even input there name as the child visiting the dentist in the story).
2) Please be careful what you say in front of your children about your "dental visit horror stories."
3) Going to the dentist with a sibling may help when it is their turn because it will seem familiar.
4) Make sure the child sees the treasure box or sticker roll that he or she may get to pick from if they have good behavior (ask your dentist what they give out each visit so you can tell your child).
5) Talk about your first visit to the dentist and how it helped you keep and healthy mouth and nice smile.
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