As a parent, you want the best for your child; you want them to have a healthy, happy life. Part of making that goal a reality is dental checkups and cleanings every six months. But when should those appointments begin? And, perhaps more importantly, what can you expect during your child’s first visit? To learn the answers, keep reading!
First, When Should You Bring Your Child in for Their First Visit?
Before jumping into what to expect, it’s important to discuss when these visits should happen. The short answer is that you should schedule your child’s first visit when their first tooth emerges or around their first birthday. From that point on, bring them in for an appointment every six months.
What Happens at Your Child’s First Appointment?
Naturally, one of the primary focuses of your child’s first visit is getting acquainted with their dentist. There will also be a quick (but thorough) exam so they can check the development of their jaw, teeth, and gums. This will be followed by a gentle cleaning and some tips on how to properly care for their teeth and gums. To ensure your little one feels comfortable and safe, they can sit directly on your lap throughout the process, unless they prefer to sit on the chair by themselves, of course!
5 Tips for a Successful First Visit
Feeling a bit nervous before your child’s first dental appointment is normal – you don’t know what to expect! The good news is that you can set you and your little one up for success by:
- Filling out any necessary paperwork online beforehand
- Not scheduling their appointment around naptime
- Introducing the idea of “going to the dentist” with children’s books and videos
- Getting toy dental tools and “play” dentist
- Bringing entertainment like an iPad or their favorite toy along
Why Keeping Baby Teeth Healthy Is So Important?
Many parents are under the impression that baby teeth aren’t as important since they eventually fall out. This is simply not true! On the contrary, your child’s primary teeth play a crucial role in the development of both their bite and speech. So, it’s of the utmost importance that you implement best practices like using a child-sized toothbrush to brush their teeth, wiping down their gums with a clean, damp washcloth, and scheduling a dental checkup and cleaning every six months.
Although it’s natural to feel a bit nervous before your child’s first dental appointment, there’s no need to worry. It’s simply a visit to help your little one’s smile stay happy and healthy!
About the Practice
Kids’ Smiles on Lincoln is here to help your child’s smile thrive from their very first appointment to their last checkup before heading off to college! In addition to providing essential preventive care and tooth-saving restorative dentistry, we take pride in being a support system for parents who want to keep their little one’s smile happy and healthy but aren’t exactly sure how. Whether you have a question about dentistry for infants or you’d like to schedule your child’s first appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (508) 290-0090.