The health of your child’s teeth is vital for their overall wellbeing. Being a parent, you have to make sure that your child’s pearly whites remain strong and free from cavities.
That said, children are more prone to cavities and tooth decay. Without proper care, bacteria can attack their tiny teeth, leading to cavities.
At What Age Should You Take Your Baby to the Dentist?
This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Your baby should have their first visit to the dentist’s office at the age of one. By that time, most children have a few teeth. Good oral hygiene starts at a young age. As soon as your baby’s first few teeth pop out, you have to make sure that you brush them daily so that no bacteria remain.
What Should You Expect
It can be scary for young children to visit the dentist for the first time. They will be anxious and scared because they don’t know what happens there. As a parent, you should try to calm them down and soothe them.
The first dental visit generally does not require a treatment. This is basically a short meet and greet between your child and their new dentist so that they can get used to the idea. The dentist will examine your child’s teeth and check for any cavities or decay, check for any potential issues with the gums, examine their bite, check their oral tissues and jaw.
Your dentist will then provide you with a crash course on oral hygiene for children. The dentist will discuss the dental developmental issues that can arise. Ask all the questions that you need answers to in your first dental visit so that you will have an idea of what to expect.
Some of the important topics of discussion include:
- Good oral hygiene
- Cavity prevention
- Fluoride needs
- Oral habits such as lip sucking, tongue thrusting, and thumb sucking
- Teething
- Need for proper nutrition
- Developmental milestones
The Next Visit
After the initial visit, most dentists recommend that the next visit should be after six months. That allows them to track the child’s teething and developmental process. Visiting your child’s dentist twice a year makes diagnosis and treatment of any dental conditions easier.
If you are looking for a dentist that truly loves working with children, give HPS Dental a call today. We are located in Shelby Twp, MI and can be reached at (248) 652-0024. We hope to hear from you soon!
