Do you remember the moment you saw your child’s first gummy grin? It’s a moment that fills your heart with so much joy and happiness. However, it won’t be long before their first tooth breaks through the gumline. As a parent, you likely know that this happens on or before their first birthday. What you may not know, however, is that your child’s first dental visit should happen shortly after! Here’s what you can expect during this appointment.
What to Expect During Your Child’s First Dental Visit
It’s completely normal for parents to have some nerves surrounding their child’s first dental visit. Fortunately, these feelings can largely be put to rest with some insight into what you can expect during this appointment. In short, this visit is mostly designed to acquaint your child with their pediatric dentist and vice versa. Their dentist will also check their mouth for any injuries, decay, or issues with development before cleaning their teeth and answering any questions you have about their at-home oral care regimen.
5 Tips for a Successful First Visit
The last thing you want is for your child’s first dental visit to be filled with tears and tantrums. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can help prevent that from happening:
- Fill out any necessary paperwork beforehand.
- Don’t schedule the appointment during naptime.
- Give your child a light meal beforehand (everyone’s grumpy when their stomach is empty, after all!).
- Bring along your child’s favorite blanket or stuffed animal in case they feel nervous at any point during the visit.
- Create a list of questions you have pertaining to your child’s oral health, so you don’t accidentally forget any.
Remember, Your Child’s Baby Teeth Are Important
All too often, parents forget just how important their child’s primary teeth are. After all, if they’re going to fall out anyway, why take care of them? Unfortunately, this kind of thinking can negatively impact both the look and function of your child’s smile. Neglecting to implement good oral hygiene habits from an early age can leave their teeth decayed and brittle, making it difficult for them to smile confidently and chew pain-free. So, don’t push off their routine checkups and cleanings until a later date. Instead, demonstrate the importance of good oral health at an early age by bringing them in for their first dental visit when their first tooth emerges or around their first birthday!
About the Practice
Our team at Simply Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is here to help growing smiles stay happy and healthy, from their first visit as an infant to their last cleaning before heading off to college! With everything from routine checkups to teeth-straightening braces in-house, our exceptional doctors can provide effective, comprehensive, and genuinely enjoyable dentistry. If your child’s first tooth just came in or they’re about to turn one, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment via our website or by phone.