According to the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should have their first dentist appointment by the time they are one year old or before if their first tooth erupts. Periodic visits beginning in the first year of life can get help your child develop a “dental home” where they can feel comfortable and safe at their dental appointment. If you have never taken a child to the dentist, you’re probably wondering how it works and what the appointment will entail. In this post, we will discuss what to expect at your child’s first pediatric dentistry appointment.
In most cases very young patients prefer to sit on their parent’s lap for the appointment. Once we have decided the best way to make your child comfortable, they will have a thorough teeth cleaning followed by a comprehensive clinical exam and the application of fluoride to help protect their teeth.
After the cleaning, exam, and fluoride application is complete you will be provided with relevant information for your child based on their age, including discussion of pacifier use / thumb sucking, prevention and management of dental trauma, brushing and flossing techniques, dietary counseling, and more based on the needs of your child.
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, it’s important to establish a “dental home” for your child. A dental home is an ongoing relationship between a dentist and their patient which includes all necessary aspects of oral health care that is provided in a comprehensive, coordinated, and comfortable way. Establishing a dental home early in life will provide you with needed knowledge about your child’s oral health as well as set them up for a long, happy relationship with their family dentist.
If you have any questions about our pediatric dentistry services, do not hesitate to contact Halonen Family Dentistry today!
