Every parent is nervous when it is time to schedule their child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist. It is recommended a child goes to the dentist for their first visit as soon as their first tooth decides to pop through the gumline.
While going to the dentist for the first time may be unsettling, it is the best possible way to prevent any future dental anxiety from developing. Choose a dentist you trust and know will be a good fit for you and your child. Ask around to see if friends can give you a good recommendation if that will make you feel better.
The biggest challenge with going to the dentist, as an adult or a child, is the fear of the unknown. Everyone has been nervous about going to the dentist at one point in their life or another. Taking your child early on will show them the dentist is an ordinary part of their life, and it is a needed appointment to keep your mouth healthy.
Always ask the dental hygienist and pediatric dentist to describe what they are doing and why they are doing it. Once the unknown is revealed, your child will be less likely to be frightened. Make sure to answer their questions and keep them informed.
If you take the time with your child, you will save yourself a lot of issues further down the road, and checkup day will not bring on anxiety.
One of the main reasons we all go to our routine checkups at the dentist is to prevent cavities. This is no different in children. A dentist can catch any oral health issues right away and treat them, so they do not create more harmful problems in the future.
Your child will receive x-rays, a complete oral examination, and professional teeth cleaning at every checkup. If any cavities are discovered, your dentist will want to have them treated right away to prevent the plaque and decay from spreading.
Your child’s teeth are new and white, and your dentist wants to keep them that way.
It is very important that, as early as possible, your child gets into the habit of taking care of their teeth and gums. When a hygienist cleans your child’s teeth, they will show them how to care for them at home properly. They will show how to brush, floss, and use mouthwash correctly in-between visits.
Establishing a well-proven oral hygiene routine will have your child earn great reports at every dental visit and encourage a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
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We all want to maintain our natural teeth for as long as possible and starting with an excellent oral hygiene routine early on is key to making sure that happens. Contact your child's dentist today to get them started on the path toward good oral health. Doing so will help keep their smile looking and functioning at its best.
Request an appointment or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at 845-363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.
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