In This Article
Your baby is beating new milestones every day, and it’s time to hit another with their first dental appointment. Whether your toddler has just got his first tooth or is flaunting a mouth full of teeth, it’s never too early to schedule a dental appointment. As soon as your baby gets a tooth, it may start to decay for various reasons, so starting dental checkups from an early age is essential.
When Is It Ideal For Planning The First Dental Visit Of A Child?
It should be one of your primary concerns to keep your baby’s adorable smile healthy as a parent. You may think it’s early, but it’s not. Per the latest guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), your baby’s first dental appointment should ideally be planned when they turn a year old or 6 months after getting the first tooth, whichever is earlier.
If you suspect a cavity or any other issue, bring it up during your baby’s first dentist appointment. Sleeping while nursing, with a bottle, or having a history of teeth cavities in your family can increase the chances of tooth decay in your baby. Moreover, if you see any white spots on your baby’s teeth, lesions or ulcers in the mouth, tongue issues, grinding, or bluish bruises at the spot where a tooth is growing, you need to consult a pediatric dentist.
Although the teeth are temporary, it is essential to maintain your baby’s oral health. The back teeth will stay in your kid’s mouth until he turns 10 or 12.
How To Prepare Your Child For Their First Visit To The Dentist?
Before you assume that your toddler will throw a tantrum or cry his eyes out while visiting the dentist for the first time, remember that your baby doesn’t have any ill thoughts towards the dentist yet. The first dental visit could be as interesting as your baby’s visit to the local amusement park.
To help reduce any potential anxiety in your baby, try the following tips:
- Read books and do role-play: Read picture books about visiting the dentist with your baby. Encourage your baby to play dentist with a doll or stuffed toys.
- Explain dental visit to your baby: Before your baby’s first dental appointment, explain how a dentist will help him build strong and healthy teeth. Don’t go into technical details as your baby is too young to understand it. But make them understand that maintaining dental health will enable them to eat their favorite foods without any issues.
- Come prepared: Bring some comfort toys, treats, or distractions while visiting a baby dentist. However, avoid messy snacks like cheese or other items that coat your baby’s teeth.
- Stay positive: If you feel stressed about how your baby will react at the dentist’s chamber, your sensitive toddler may get stressed too. If you are calm and relaxed, your baby will stay positive, too.
- Be Supportive: If your baby has a meltdown mid-checkup, try to distract them with toys. Your child dentist knows how to deal with babies and prevent meltdowns during checkups.
What Happens At A Baby’s First Dentist Appointment?
If you have been wondering how long a dentist appointment will last, the answer is that your baby’s first dental appointment will last around 30-45 minutes. To ensure your child’s dental health, it is important to visit dentists who are specialists in child dentistry.
Pediatric dentists will look for tooth decay signs, check oral health, and spot dental conditions that may need special care. For example, if your baby has dental enamel defects or cavities, you will be required to take precautions against tooth decay. The first dental appointment will provide the parents with dental health information. Your dentist will teach you how to brush and floss your baby’s teeth properly through guides and demonstrations. Your baby’s pediatric dentist will also ask you about your baby’s eating habits and provide you with dietary counseling.
Your baby’s dentist will count your little one’s teeth and examine his lips, tongue, gums, and the inside of their cheeks. If your child denies sitting alone, you can sit on the chair with your baby on your lap. Your pediatric dentist will also discuss oral hygiene, teething, feeding habits, pacifier use, and sleeping habits.
Depending on your child’s age, the dentist will decide whether to do a full exam of the gums, teeth, bite, oral tissues, and jaws to check oral health and development.
How Often Do You Visit The Dentist For Your Baby?
During the first appointment, your baby’s dentist will analyze the condition of his teeth and overall oral health to schedule the next appointment. Most dentists recommend scheduling a dental appointment every 6 months for your baby if there are no major issues with your child’s oral health. Moreover, you can opt for dental insurance to avail yourself of low-cost dental checkups and other benefits. Talk to your dentist regarding this issue and learn whether it will lead to cost savings or not.
How To Choose A Dentist For Your Baby?
When choosing a dentist for your baby, it is essential to opt for a dentist, who has experience with toddlers.Urbn dental has additional pediatric training to care for your baby’s oral health. All the dentists at URBN dental are well prepared to deal with your baby’s crying or squirming in the dental chair. If you need a dentist for your toddler that follows the best dental practices and will be able to take care of your baby’s oral hygiene and health, look no further.
Once you have scheduled your child’s first dental appointment, use our tips to prepare well and keep your baby relaxed. During dental checkups, you must also ask all the relevant questions about your baby’s oral health, such as toddler teething, thumb sucking, or relying on pacifiers too much. Contact URBN dental today to schedule an appointment for your toddler.