Everyone needs a good dentist. Whether you’re five years old or 50 years old, the reality is that your teeth do need to be examined, cleaned, and repaired on occasion. Children, in particular, should see a pediatric dentist early in life. Although they only have baby teeth at this time, they can still have issues with their jaw alignment, teeth alignment, cavities, and other issues that must be addressed.
Many parents and guardians have questions about when the first dental appointment should be made for their children. This varies, especially if a child injures their mouth or has an obvious dental problem. In most cases, however, children should be seen by a dentist by the time they turn one year old.
When Should You Make Your Child’s First Pediatric Dentistry Visit?
The general consensus among dentists is that children should come in for their first dental appointment within six months of their first tooth erupting from their gums[1]. The first appointment should be no later than your child’s first birthday.
What Are Some Early Dental Problems Seen In Young Children?
When parents take their children to the first dental visit, their dentist will go over some basic care information as well as details about common childhood ailments.
Some of the dental issues that young children or babies may deal with include:
- Baby bottle tooth decay
- Teething problems
- Finger-sucking that may misalign the teeth or introduce bacteria
- Pacifier habits that misalign the teeth
The dentist will also talk to parents about good dental and mouth cleaning practices as well as infant feeding practices that will help keep their children’s baby teeth healthy until their adult teeth arrive.
After the First Visit, How Often Should Your Child Be Seen By the Dentist?
Once you take your child to the dentist the first time, you may need to take your child back as often as every three months. However, a usual timeline is once every six months, at least until all of their baby teeth have come in.
What Should You Expect During Your Child’s First Dental Exam?
At your child’s first dental examination, expect to be there for around 30 to 45 minutes. The dentist may perform a full exam of your children’s teeth, bite, gums, jaws, and oral tissues to make sure everything looks fine. If your child has a tooth that has erupted, it may be polished and have any stains, tartar, or plaque removed during the visit. It’s not typical for X-Rays to be performed.
If you have any questions for the dentist, it’s a good idea to have them prepared. Your dentist will go over home cleaning, like brushing and flossing, as well as spend some time talking to you about fluoride and if it’s needed to help protect your child’s teeth.
What Should You Expect at Your Child’s Second Dental Visit?
At the second visit, your dentist will continue to examine your child’s teeth and the progression of teething. The goal of the second and subsequent visits is to help your child become more familiar with the dentist and to be more comfortable with coming to the office. This builds up your child’s confidence. Additionally, regular pediatric dentistry appointments will help catch any developmental issues in the early stages of tooth and jaw development, so they can be addressed as soon as possible.
Contact Greenwood Dental for Children’s Dentistry Support
At Greenwood Dental, we offer pediatric dentistry services and will work with you to help you get your child comfortable with visits to our office. We assist with everything from fillings to family dentistry and are here for you now. Call us today at [direct], or contact us online to make an appointment.
