When Should My Child First See the Dentist?
When it comes to their first trip to the dentist, it all seems a bit up in the air. When should they first visit? When they first begin teething? When all of the teeth have arrived? When there’s some sort of issue that needs to be resolved? Or perhaps you should just wait and take them along to your next dental appointment and see what your dentist says?
There’s no hard and fast rule about when your child should take their first trip to the dentist, but dentists and pediatricians both agree that your child’s first visit should take place during their first year.
This might seem early to some, but it can be a necessary step to preventing childhood cavities and learning everything you need to know about caring for your child’s teeth as they grow and develop. If you leave their first visit too late – once they are two or three years old – they are at risk of already having developed cavities, as the rate of childhood cavities is on the rise.
Visiting the dentist when your child is still at a young age is also a great way for them to start learning about dental health and how important it is early on – and it’s a good learning curve for you, too. If this is your first child, you may not have much of a clue about
- Teething and other dental milestones
- How to prevent accidents to the face and teeth
- Proper use of fluoride
- How to break habits such as thumb-sucking
- How your child’s diet can affect their oral health
A visit to the dentist with your child can help you learn about all of these things, plus anything that is specific to your child. At the end of the visit, you and your dentist can go over any other questions you may have about your child’s dental care, and your dentist will be able to provide you with a suggested schedule for their dental care in the future. For most, a visit is recommended every six months. This is a great way to see your child’s teeth and gums develop, to keep an eye on any forming issues, and to catch any problems, such as cavities, early on and help to rectify them.
During your child’s first visit to the dentist, they may feel uncomfortable about being in an unfamiliar space with a stranger, so it’s important to make them feel safe. A large part of this is finding a dentist that is family-friendly and well-equipped to deal with young children.
At Karalee Family Dental, we’ve been helping parents and their children care for their dental health in the Bellbowrie and Brassall areas for years. We’re experienced, friendly, and here to make you and your child feel safe and looked after. If your child’s first dental visit is coming up and you have any questions, contact us today.
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