SEEING A BABY’S FIRST SMILE is a wonderful moment in a parent’s life–that little grin leaves a lasting impression! Visiting the dentist early ensures that your child’s smile remains happy and healthy.
Did The First Tooth Pop In? Time to Schedule Their Appointment
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental appointment once their first tooth appears or around their first birthday. However, you know your child better than anyone and some parents choose to wait another year or so if they know they will not do well at the visit. Although 1 to 2 years old may seem early for a first visit, there are many reasons for acquainting your child with a dentist so early in their oral development.
The first, and most obvious, is that we are able to monitor the health of their new teeth as they come in. As soon as your little one’s first tooth erupts, he or she can begin to develop cavities. Aside from checking for tooth decay, we check to ensure that their overall oral development is on track and answer any questions you may have about your child’s growing smile.
What To Expect During Your Child’s First Visit
As you prepare your child for their first dental visit, you may wonder what you can expect during their appointment. If your child is between the ages of 1 and 3 years old, the first dental visits are usually very brief and give your child an opportunity to meet their dentist in a friendly, non-threatening way. At Colorado Precision Dentistry, we like to call these appointments “Happy Visits.” Depending on the age of your child, we will familiarize them with our “toys” – they can look at and hold the mouth mirror, a toothbrush, and meet Mr. Thirsty (our suctioning tip)! This helps to get them acquainted and can help calm your child before their dental exam. Not only do children enjoy Happy Visits, we do as well!
Once your child is ready for their exam, the dentist will:
Count their existing teeth and check them for decay
Examine their bite and look for any problems with the gums, jaw, and oral tissues
After this, if your child will tolerate it, their teeth will be cleaned
The key to the first visit is to make it a “Happy Visit” and we simply won’t push a child into anything they don’t want to do. It’s all about creating a positive relationship for the years ahead.
These appointments are also an excellent opportunity for us to share information with you about proper oral care as your child’s smile develops.If you have any questions about your child’s oral hygiene routine, this is a perfect time to ask! We are always happy to discuss strategies to help soothe your baby during the teething phase, answer questions about oral habits such as thumb sucking, or share tips about a smile-healthy diet.
After their visit is complete, your dentist will suggest a schedule of follow-up visits based on the unique needs of your child.
Watch the video below to learn more about your child’s first dental visit and how to prepare them for their appointment:
We’ll Make Sure Your Child Leaves With A Smile!
Whether it’s your child’s first visit or their 50th, our entire team is committed to giving them an experience that helps pave the way for a lifetime of good oral health. If you have any questions about your child’s first visit in our office, feel free to give us a call! We’d love to talk with you about any specific needs they may have for their first appointment.
