 Your
Child's First Dental Visit
The earlier you can expose your child to the dental office the
better. This can be an important step towards good oral health and
a general healthy lifestyle. Not only will problems be identified
early but they will also learn healthy habits. Don't wait for an
emergency or when your child is in pain.
Allow your toddler to accompany you to the dental office and ask
the dentist or dental hygienist to informally examine their mouth
soon after the first tooth erupts. This friendly, gentle and fun
introduction to the dental office will establish a relationship
with your child's oral health care providers. A good rule of thumb
is to have the first unofficial visit by the first birthday and
gradually introduce a regular and complete dental visit routine
by two years old.
Providing your child with books about dental visits and good positive
talk will make the visit less intimidating. Don't over prepare them.
Allow them to accompany siblings and sit in the dental chair with
them. Most oral care professionals know exactly how to encourage
a young child to open their mouths so it is best for a parent to
sit calmly and quietly and watch the experts at work. Just follow
their cues and your child will surprise you. They will manage to
make friends, have fun, and check your child's teeth far more easily
than you could ever have imagined.
At each dental visit, you will be provided with valuable advice
on oral home care for your child such as brushing
and flossing.
Diet and oral habits will be assessed. A cavity check for tooth
decay will be done along with any necessary cleaning and might be
followed by a fluoride treatment. Parents will learn about the importance
of primary teeth (baby teeth) and the eruption
patterns of permanent teeth. They will learn about inappropriate
or excessive use of the pacifier,
baby
bottle and sippy cups. As the child grows, your oral health
team will make you aware of safety issues for the mouth and oral
tissues and provide you with information on the growth and development
of the teeth and jaws.
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