The American Dental Association recommends that your child’s first dentist appointment should occur after the first tooth appears, but no later than the first year. Your child is hitting new milestones everyday, and the first dentist appointment is included!
Taking a proactive approach towards your child’s dental health will make sure that they have a healthy smile for a lifetime.
How to Prepare for the First Visit
Start speaking with your children about the dentist, dental appointments, and the importance of having regular checkups. Practice having them open their mouth so they know that the dentist will be examining their teeth.
Be ready to answer questions about your child’s medical conditions, eating habits, teething, brushing, exposure to fluoride and other habits, such as thumb-sucking or using a pacifier.
Also, make a list of questions that you would like to ask.
Tips for a Great First Visit
The tone of you child’s first dentist visit is set by you before you even get to the office. Please don’t joke about the dentist pulling teeth or hurting them if they don’t brush their teeth or behave! We see this often, and though you may have the best intentions, kids can’t always read your tone when you exaggerate. Always talk positively about dental visits.
Here are several more things you can do to help make your child’s visit go smoothly.
- Don’t schedule your child’s appointment during nap times!
- Make sure your child has eaten and that they’ve brushed their teeth after.
- Save snack time for after the appointment.
- Make the visit a fun experience. If your child is nervous or becomes upset during the visit, work with the dentist to calm your child down
What to Expect at the First Dentist Appointment?
Although usually a quick appointment, the dentist will do a full examination of your child’s jaw and teeth, checking for cavities and other issues.
If your child doesn’t want to sit in the dentist chair alone then the dentist will ask that you hold your child so that a proper examination can be completed. If your child cries or wiggles during the exam, don’t worry. This is normal, and dentists understand that this is a new experience for your child.
If the dentist sees some plaque build-up, a gentle cleaning may occur. We make sure to stay within your child’s comfort zones as all children respond differently to cleanings. Over time, your child will become more comfortable with our friendly faces and relaxed environment.
Based on your child’s risk factors and oral health, a follow-up appointment will be recommended. It is important that routine evaluations occur every six months.
The Dental Space Is Committed to Providing Your Child With a Great First Dentist Appointment
The Dental Space family dentistry clinic is proud to have received the Patient’s Top Choice Award by U.S. News and World Report. We start seeing children as young as six months and are committed to making sure that you and your family have the healthiest and brightest smiles possible.
We provide state-of-the-art dental care at our child friendly office, 1101 Thorpe Ln, Suite 101, just off IH 35 in the Springtown Center Shopping Mall, to patients in San Marcos, TX and surrounding areas. Call us today at 512-667-9770 to schedule an appointment, or fill out our online form.
Many dental insurance plans are accepted, and we offer several different payment options to our patients.
