Are you not sure when to take your kid to the dentist?
That’s OK. Tons of parents ask the same question, and for most children, it’s the same answer.
Professionals suggest that a child’s first visit to the dentist be at around six months old. This ensures if there are any early dental issues your baby might be experiencing, a proper dental treatment will restore their current oral health.
Early detection is also crucial for dental health later in life. Cuts from chewing on toys can cause harmful infections for babies. Talking to a dentist about the proper ways to keep a child’s mouth clean will keep them happy and healthy.
When the First Teeth Come In
When a child’s teeth are coming in, you should take them to the dentist.
This is an opportunity for dentists to make sure teeth are growing in correctly, and in healthy places. A dentist can tell after only a few teeth coming in whether a child may need braces later on in life. You’ll also get a treatment for teething pain, a common issue with children whose teeth are first coming in.
Teething and your baby
Teething is a difficult time for any parent, but there are tons of ways you can make it easier for yourself.
Edward Moody, past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, lifelong dentist, and a father himself says parents have several strategies for dealing effectively with a teething child.
A firm rubber ring to chew on
Cool, soft foods like applesauce or yogurt
A bottle filled with water, as dairy can cause tooth decay
Rub painful teeth with a cool washcloth – put it in the freezer for about 10 minutes, wash it again, and gently massage your child’s gums
Dr. Moody also suggests that at the very latest, your child should see the dentist for the first time by one years old.
Getting children used to the dentist
Going to the dentist can be scary. Cleaning teeth the way only a dentist can is not a normal part of life – it’s weird.
But getting children used to going to the dentist early in life will make it easier to maintain proper oral health later in life. The more dentists are normalized in a child’s life, the more likely they are to seek it later in life when they really need it for more serious conditions.
If you’re ready for your child’s first dentist appointment, contact us today!