Are you planning on taking your child to the dentist for the first time? This can be an anxious experience for both parents and children, but it does not have to be.
As you plan your son or daughter’s first dentist visit, it is important to be well-informed and prepared. Depending on your child’s age, there are great tips on how to calm your son or daughter’s nerves.
Getting a teeth cleaning is essential for many reasons and teaching your child about dental health at such a young age can help make them more hygiene conscious as an adult.
Read on to learn more.
What Age Should Your Child Get Their First Teeth Cleaning?
Children first begin to receive their baby teeth around 6 months of age. As soon as your child gets his or her first teeth, it is important to be proactive.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has suggested that as soon as children get their first tooth, they should begin to visit a dentist regularly. Your son or daughter’s first dentist appointment should occur before or right after he or she turns one year old.
This is recommended because children can start to get cavities at a very young age. Small children have an increased likelihood of getting a cavity because they are still learning about hygiene. Additionally, cleaning is important for overall gum health.
Dentists suggest that children should get their teeth cleaned at least every six months.
Preparing Your Child for the Appointment
While your child is still very young and learning to communicate, it is helpful to try to talk to your child about the dental experience. Speak in a simple and straightforward way and tell your child that everything is going to be okay.
Communicate in a way that shows your son or daughter that there is nothing to be scared of. Try to let them know that seeing a dentist is an important and good thing. There is no need to provide great detail, this can may your child more anxious.
You know your child and his or her personality the best. Communicate with him or her in a way that will be calming and comforting. We find that if children are prepared for their appointment, they may be less overwhelmed and frightened once they come to the office.
Office Communication and Further Preparation
Before coming in for your son or daughter’s appointment, it is helpful and appreciated when parents talk to the office’s staff about their child’s medical history and personality.
Does your child get frightened easily? Are there any measures that can make the experience more comfortable for him or her? Does your child have any medical conditions or challenges we should be aware of?
We encourage parents to provide as much detail as possible. This will help us paint a clearer picture of your child and how to handle his or her first appointment with us.
There is nothing wrong with letting your child hold a special object such as a stuffed animal or blanket as a comfort measure. Let us know ahead of time and we will ensure our staff makes your child as comfortable as possible during the cleaning.
What Happens During Your Child’s First Appointment?
Your child’s first dental appointment will be fairly short. Depending on the exam and cleaning process, you can expect your child to be done within 45 minutes at the longest.
The first thing that occurs during a child’s cleaning appointment is a thorough examination. The dental hygienist will look at your son or daughter’s teeth and gums in detail.
He or she will search for plaque and cavities. The hygienist will also check your son or daughter’s bite and make sure it is normal.
After the examination, the dental hygienist will use special dental instruments to remove plaque and clean your child’s teeth. These tools are very similar to the instruments dentists use on older children and adults.
Due to the sensitivity of your young child’s teeth, the hygienist will be very gentle during the cleaning process. After the cleaning, your child’s hygienist will teach you and your child how to properly brush and floss.
We encourage parents to have an active role in daily hygiene tasks. It is important to help your child brush and floss until he or she is old enough to do it alone. Practice with your child and remind them how important brushing is.
At the end of the appointment, we encourage parents to have a meaningful dialogue with the hygienist and ask any questions they may have. Dentists are here to be a partner in your child’s dental health journey. No question is off-limits.
Contact Versailles Family Dentistry Today
If you are looking for a dentist in Versailles for your son or daughter, Versailles Family Dentistry is ready to serve you!
Our experienced team of dentists specializes in pediatric dental care. Versailles Family Dentistry’s dentists and staff are dedicated to giving patients the best and most comfortable experience possible.
We know bringing your child in for his or her first teeth cleaning appointment can be scary. Our team will walk you through the whole process.
We prioritize care and personalization. Whatever we can do on our end to better the experience for your son or daughter, let us know!
To learn more about our practice and how to schedule an appointment, please contact our team today.