What Happens on Your Child's First Dental Visit
The first dental visit for a baby should occur earlier than most parents believe. As soon as the first tooth erupts, the American Dental Association advises arranging the first pediatric dental appointment. You should always bring your child to the pediatric dentist when they are young. If your child is older than one year old, make an appointment as soon as possible.
First Pediatric Dental Appointment for Your Child
You will learn about the following at your initial appointment:
Infant Feeding Techniques That Work: You will be able to get helpful tips and information on the best ways to feed your infant to help reduce their risk for cavities.
Oral Hygiene Tips: You will be given specific instructions on how to care for your child's teeth, gums, and mouth. This will include information on when to start brushing their teeth and the use of fluoride.
Cavity Prevention: You will learn about ways to help prevent cavities in your child's mouth. This may include information on diet, fluoride use, and dental sealants.
The Importance of a Healthy Diet: A pediatric dentist can help you create a healthy diet plan for your family that includes foods that are good for oral health.
Tooth eruption schedule: You will be given a list of when you can expect your child's baby teeth to come in and when their adult teeth will erupt. This will help you know when to bring them in for future appointments.
It would be best if you also were prepared to answer the following questions at your child's first dental appointment:
Medical History: The dentist will ask about your child's medical history, including any illnesses or conditions, medications they are taking, and if they have ever had any allergies.
Dental History: The dentist will ask if anyone in your family has had dental problems, such as cavities or gum disease. They may also ask if you have ever taken your child to see a dentist before.
Feeding Habits: The dentist will ask about your child's feeding habits, including how often they eat and drink and what foods and drinks they consume. They may also ask if you use a pacifier or bottle to feed your child.
Oral Hygiene Habits: The dentist will ask about your child's oral hygiene habits, such as how often they brush their teeth and if they use fluoride toothpaste.
After the initial appointment, the dentist will develop a treatment plan for your child. This plan may include recommendations for future meetings, such as how often to come in for checkups and cleanings.
Getting Your Child Ready
Past traumatic or poor dental experiences can lead to dental anxiety later in life. Therefore, you will want to prepare your child for their first visit since you want this to be a pleasant experience. Please speak with your child's pediatric dentist in Carbondale, IL, before their appointment so that there are no surprises for you and your child. After speaking with a dentist near you, you should devise a strategy to manage your child's expectations and reaction to their appointment.
To build excitement and comprehension, you should openly talk with your child about what they should expect. Bring any medical records with you to your child's appointment.
Call us
It is never too early to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist, whether your child has a few teeth popping through or a mouth full of teeth. Of course, it would be ideal if you did everything possible to keep those gorgeous pearly whites healthy and sparkling.
Here at Little Egypt Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that every child is different. Therefore, we take the time to get to know each one of our patients so that we can deliver the best possible care. Our goal is to ensure that your child feels comfortable and relaxed during their visit while also providing them with the education they need to maintain good oral health.