Image by Robbie Wagner via Flickr
Taking your child to the dentist for the first time can be an incredibly unnerving experience which is full of unknowns and hidden obstacles. In order to overcome the butterflies that come with taking your little one to the dentist for the first time, we thought we would write this first-timer’s guide to your child’s first dentist visit. In this guide you will learn all of the basics to taking your child to the dentist for the first time.
When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?
In order to know when the right time is to take your child to the dentist, follow this suggested timeline for your child’s first dental appointments.
Dentist Timeline
1st visit: Typically within their first two years, six months after the eruption of the first tooth. From there, visits should be made to the dentist every six months just as with adults.
X-Rays: To avoid any health risk to your son or daughter, most dentists will suggest X-rays at around the age of six years. Children aged 5 and younger have a much greater sensitivity to the effects of radiation from X-rays.
Why is it important to take my child to the dentist so young?
The benefits associated to getting your child’s dental health off to an early start are related to both health –and finances. But first let’s look at the health reasons;
- Prevent tooth decay from the onset; identify fluoride needs
- Help parents learn how to clean their child’s teeth
- Acclimate your child with their dentist
And then there are cost-saving reasons, too;
- You know the expression; “An ounce of prevention is greater than a pound of cure” –and so it goes –by eliminating risk of tooth decay early on, you are likely to avoid costly dental procedures later
- More than just tooth decay; your child’s first visit will also examine other factors such as bite and gums to help mitigate any possible issues early on
What to expect at your child’s first dental appointment?
If your child is acting compliantly, your child’s first dental appointment may include the following;
- Non-invasive examination of gums, teeth, and bite
- Perhaps a gentle tooth cleaning
- Fluoride needs assessment
- Demonstration of proper in-home dental cleaning
How to spot a great dentist?
A good dentist will set expectations as they go, asking for permission before any action they take. In addition to this, a kid-friendly dentist Melbourne will know how to speak to a child on their level, and set an “emergency stop” signal –all ensuring the child will feel like they are still in total control of the situation.
A few extra tips for your child’s first dentist appointment
- Bring additional toys or media to entertain, comfort, and maybe even distract your child, to keep their stress levels low
- Ask your dentist in advance if they have earphones, etc –if not, ask if you can bring your own
- Ensure that you bring with you your child’s complete medical history
- Schedule your appointment in the morning so that your child doesn’t have to think about their impending appointment all day long
* This post is contributed by Mediabuzzer *
