If you are a new parent, a pediatric dental appointment may be a foreign concept. You may not know what to expect from this visit, but you can learn what will happen. The more you understand, the more effectively you can get your child ready to see the dentist for the first time. This does not have to be a scary experience for your child.
Parents often ask a pediatric dental professional when the right time is to visit the dentist for the first time. Parents should not have to wait until the child has multiple teeth or until the young patient can brush and floss on their own. Children should start getting checkups around six months after the first tooth emerges. The first tooth usually appears when the child is between 6 and 8 months old.
Choosing a dentist for a child should not be a random guess. Though there are many options available, not every provider will meet a parent’s and child’s needs. Parents should focus on practices with experience treating children of all ages. It is also important to find a place where the child feels comfortable. It may be helpful to visit the office ahead of time and talk to the dentist.
Before parents take a child to a pediatric dental office for the initial visit, they should start good oral health habits. Even from birth, parents should clean the baby’s gums after feedings. Once teeth start to emerge, a parent or caregiver should start using a toothbrush on the young child’s teeth. However, toothpaste should not be a part of early care. At first, use a soft-bristled brush with no toothpaste. Toothpaste can be introduced around age 2.
Parents should give the dentist the child’s health history before going to the pediatric dental office for the first time. The dentist can identify any concerns or allergies the child may have. Having information about the child’s health will help the dentist make any necessary modifications to treatment and care.
Parents should not wait until the child reaches the toddler years to go to the dentist. However, if this occurs, parents should prepare the child for what will occur during the appointment. A parent can reassure the child about the upcoming visit. It is important to speak positively about the pediatric dental office and help the child understand that the dentist is going to help them.
The sooner you can start taking your child to the pediatric dental office, the more likely your son or daughter is to develop good habits. Tooth decay and gum disease are common among toddlers and preschool-age children. If you can start to focus on brushing and wellness checkups with a dentist, your child can enjoy strong and healthy teeth and gums throughout life. Choose a dentist you feel good about and make an appointment today for your child.
Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Dental sealants are a treatment in which an invisible coating is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay. There are two main types of dental sealants pediatric dentists may recommend. This article discusses both.The two most common types of dental sealant materials are composite resin and glass ionomer.…
While dental sealants can protect teeth against decay in patients of all ages, a pediatric dentist usually recommends them for children. Tooth decay is one of the top dental issues that children develop, and it can have lifelong consequences.Baby teeth do not have as much enamel as permanent teeth, making them more vulnerable to decay.…
Dental sealants are a great way to protect your child's teeth from decay for up to five years. This non-invasive procedure does not permanently alter your child's teeth. The sealant is simply painted on the grooves and depressions of their teeth and hardened with ultraviolet light.Many parents have questions about protecting their child's teeth with…
Kids dental crowns are restorations used to prevent baby teeth from falling out before they are supposed to. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, ensuring proper dental development and jaw alignment. While some parents may wonder why a pediatric dentist would not simply pull damaged teeth, kids' dental crowns protect affected baby teeth from…
Dental sealants are a treatment in which an invisible coating is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay. There are two main types of dental sealants pediatric dentists may recommend. This article discusses both.The two most common types of dental sealant materials are composite resin and glass ionomer.…
While dental sealants can protect teeth against decay in patients of all ages, a pediatric dentist usually recommends them for children. Tooth decay is one of the top dental issues that children develop, and it can have lifelong consequences.Baby teeth do not have as much enamel as permanent teeth, making them more vulnerable to decay.…