It might seem strange to consider taking your child to the dentist when they only have their first tooth however the benefits of early dental visits are important.
C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital conducted a poll to help emphasize the importance of early dental care for children, from as young as before 1. The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children have their first dentist visit before the age of 1.
The poll found that 25% of parents felt it was unnecessary to take their child to the dentist before they had all of their baby teeth while some cause for concern among parents was the cost of dental care.
What Should You Expect At The First Appointment
Here are some of the reasons why parents should take their child to a pediatric dentist within the first 6 months of their first tooth and also what to expect in that first visit.
Catch And Correct Potential Issues Early
One of the main reasons why it’s important to assess your child’s oral health from the get-go is because every gum and tooth growing experience is unique. A professional dentist can help you identify possible gum issues, growth issues, and other oral healthcare concerns early.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Why wait to discover potential, and often preventable issues in your child’s dental care? Catching things like early tooth decay, gum issues or strange growth such as misalignment and spacing early can often prevent future dental issues and can help your children learn an appreciation for oral hygiene.
Learn More About Your Child’s Oral Health
The first visit is always about learning for the parents, your favorite dental specialist, and your kids too. At the first appointment you can ask as many questions as you need to in order to ensure your child’s dental care is appropriate for what their unique needs are.
During the first visit, your dentist will check gums, cheeks as well as count teeth and anticipate how they will grow – alignment and spacing too. Did you know that using pacifiers, how they sleep, and your child’s feeding habits can all impact teeth? Your dentist will ask about all these aspects and help you chart the perfect course.
How To Prepare Your Child For The Dentist
They say the best way to help your kids process and prepare for something is to buy a book! When we read with children they get new ideas, learn new things and we can expose them to things that might require them to prepare. Buy your child books about going to the dentist and their first dental visit and use those as a tool for easing any anxiety.
Build A Positive Outlook
As a parent, you have the power to help your child view something in a positive light. When you tell them about the upcoming dental appointment, make sure you create excitement and frame the idea in a positive way. Avoid mentioning any words that can be negative such as pain, needles, or pulling teeth. Another thing to avoid is saying things like ‘don’t worry’ because that can sometimes create a reason for them to worry.
Role Play And Imaginative Play
Another fun way to gently prepare kids for the dentist is to play pretend games with them. Let them be the dentist and inspect your teeth, and the other way around. This helps to ease their minds and create more of a relaxed thought process.
Get Some Energy Out Before The Appointment
When you sit in the chair, it’s important to keep as still as possible, but when you are a young person, you might be full of beans. Take your kids for a run around, a cycle or to play at the playground before the appointment to help them burn off some energy. This will help them relax when sitting in the dentist’s chair.
Plan A Fun Activity Or Reward For Afterwards
You don’t need to do this for every appointment, but for the first one, plan a fun activity or reward that your child can look forward to after their visit. This is also a great way to keep their minds on something exciting in the future and will prevent panic or stress. It also builds a positive association with the dentist.
Eriks Dental Group: Your No.1 Family Dentist
Eriks Dental Group is committed to ensuring a positive and caring dental experience for everyone in Boynton Beach. It it’s time for your child’s first dental visit, contact us today at 561-733-4004 and learn more dental care tips, by visiting our blog.