Dentists will usually recommend children visit their offices by the time they are one or within six months of the eruption of a child’s first tooth.
What does my child’s first dental visit entail?
Your child’s first dental visit is a brief yet important appointment to attend. Rather, the first dental visit for a child is more so an opportunity for them to meet with their dentist and establish a dental home. They will be allowed to spend time with the dentist, staff and tour the office. While examining your child’s teeth, the dentist in Cranbrook will assess each tooth present in their mouth for tooth decay, examine their bite, and look for any potential issues with their gums, jaw, and oral tissues. Next, the dentist near you will clean their teeth and assess if fluoride is necessary. During this time, the dentist will educate you on oral care basics for children and important techniques to follow. Your dentist will also encourage you to ask any questions you may have to better assist your child in taking care of their oral health. This is a time to be honest with the dentist and receive any clarification you need.
Some topics that you and your child’s dentist in Cranbrook will discuss are:
- Practicing oral hygiene techniques
- The prevention of cavities
- The need for fluoride treatments
- Oral hygiene habits
- Teething
- Diet and nutrition
Scheduling regular visits. Usually, dentists near you would like child patients to visit their dental office in Cranbrook twice per year. Not only does this familiarize your child with the dentist in your area, but it allows the dentist to monitor the condition and development of their teeth and provide prompt treatment to any developing or existing oral issues and ailments.
Note that the parent or legal guardian who brings the child for their first visit will be asked to fill out medical and health information forms concerning their child. You will need to come prepared with any necessary information your child’s dentist will require.
When should children receive their first dental X-ray?
While there is no hard and fast rule for when a child should begin receiving dental X-rays as every child has varying needs and conditions, for some children, such as those who are susceptible to tooth decay or those with cleft lip/palate, they should receive X-rays earlier than others. Generally, the majority of children will have X-rays taken by the time they are 5 or 6 years old. This is the time when children begin to develop their adult teeth and X-rays play a key role in assisting your dentist when determining if all of their adult teeth are erupting in the jaw, searching for bite problems, and determining if your child’s teeth and mouth are overall healthy.
Remember to discuss any questions or concerns you have with the dentist. Also, keep in mind that your feelings towards visiting the dentist may be different than your child’s. This will require you to have patience and understanding as visiting the dentist for the first few times can be overwhelming for a child and as humans, we tend to fear the unknown. You are here to provide your child with support and make them feel calm and safe. Try your best to build excitement and understanding around visiting the dentist. To schedule a dental visit for your child, contact our dental office near you. We will be happy to meet you and your child and provide the quality dental care you can trust.