For today’s children, a visit to the dentist is often a fun experience. Positive attitudes on the part of the parents and immediate family members are the most important factors in determining the child’s out-look on visiting the dentist.
Ideally, regular visits should start as early as your child’s first birthday and no later than 3 years of age. You can find out if the cleaning you do at home is working. The dentist can diagnose problems early and treat when the damage is less, and restorations are smaller. But, more importantly, any fears or hesitations that can be resolved in early life will help hinder establishment of dental phobia which will interfere with proper care in adulthood.
The dentist will assess the growth of your child’s teeth and jaws, monitor the eruption and shedding of teeth. When necessary, radiographs will be taken to see how the teeth and facial bones are developing and to find any hidden decay.
Your dentist may also advise you on ways to prevent malocclusion and provide you and your child with information on proper dental home care.
Beyond infancy there are special things you can do that will help make the first dental visit enjoyable:
- Read your child a book about going to the dentist.
- Ask your dentist what to expect.
- Take your child along when a sibling or friend has a dental visit.
- Answer questions honestly but not with too much detail.
- See that your child has a good night’s sleep before the dental visit and try to book a morning appointment.
- Praise and gentle encouragement work far better than threats, bribery, or force.
More questions about your child’s first dental visit? Contact Us.
Our next blogs will be about: malocclusion, and then mouth injuries.