Did you know it is recommended you take your child to the dentist before their first birthday? Either that or within 6 months of his or her first tooth emerging. Your child will likely only have a couple of teeth, which is normal! Here is what to be prepared for at that first visit:
Overall assessment: Your pediatric dentist will take a look inside your child’s mouth to see how the teeth are growing in and check gum health. This is a great time to discuss any questions you have about your child’s diet in connection to oral health. They will also show you how to brush your child’s teeth properly and tips for establishing a good floss and brush routine at home.
Discussing fluoride: This one caught me off guard at our first appointment with my son. Our dentist asked if it was okay to use fluoride during his cleaning and I wasn’t prepared to answer that question. I hadn’t known about the debate going on in the industry about the safety of the use of fluoride on teeth, so I recommend you research this ahead of time and be prepared with your own response.
Quick teeth cleaning: The dentist will ask one parent to help with the cleaning. This entire cleaning process takes about a minute. They make it very quick because they know your child most likely isn’t going to enjoy it. The one parent assisting the dentist will help lie the child back in his or her lap and the dentist will be by the child’s feet for easier access to see up into the mouth.
Overall, my son’s first pediatric dental appointment was quick, painless and informative. If you haven’t had the pleasure of scheduling your child’s first one yet, I hope this post is helpful in preparing you with what to expect! If you have, what else did you find helpful at your first visit?