What is the Right First Dentist Appointment Age of a Child?
Whether your toddler has completed their primary dentition or has got their first one, it is never too late to think about keeping your child's adorable smile bright and healthy for life. As there are many conflicts regarding a child's first dentist appointment age, we've acquired multiple well-known pediatricians' advice with detailed research to find the correct answer.
Most pediatric dentists recommend bringing a child for their first appointment as soon as their first tooth erupts. A few say it is ok to wait for a few more teeth to erupt or for the whole primary dentition to get completed till the second to third birthday. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), your child’s first dental visit age should be near their first birthday.
What to Expect During Your Child’s First Dental Visit?
During your child's first dental visit, the pediatric dentist will make your baby as comfortable as possible in the dental chair or your lap. Then, they will examine your baby's teeth, gums, jaw, and palate to check for any abnormal signs such as tooth decay, erythema, cleft lip & palate, tongue-tie, or any other issues which requires special care that may affect the teeth & jaw development, speech, or eating patterns.
Afterward, the pediatric dentist will gently clean your baby's teeth and gums to let you learn the best oral hygiene practices for your child. You can also clear all your queries, let them know about your child's bad habits, such as thumb sucking or bruxism, and ask for any special precautions to take when feeding your child. It will help you protect your child's oral health as best as possible, as it matters for their social, physical, and emotional well-being.
How to Prepare for The Child’s First Dentist Visit?
As soon as your child begins to react at the right age for the first dentist visit, start preparing your child for what will happen to avoid unnecessary distractions during the checkup.
Below we have mentioned some of the best tips to prepare your kid for first dental visit:
● Buy a toy dental set to play with and prepare them for mouth opening in the dental setting.
● Make them learn how doctor visits will positively influence their oral health.
● Try to fill out the forms before the appointment time to avoid long times in the waiting area.
● Make your baby watch videos of the same context when the children of the same age are getting their dental checkups or treatments peacefully.
● Show them pictures of the dentist and dental clinics or make them read the dental books to familiarize themselves with the environment, dentist's attire, and attitude.
Tips to Protect Your Child’s Teeth At Home
Here are a few tips you can follow to prevent your child from caries or other oral diseases:
➔ After breastfeeding or milk bottle feeding, clean your baby's teeth and gums with a soft toothbrush or a clean and damp cloth.
➔ Avoid leaving milk bottles in your baby's mouth during sleep, and make them finish with your assistance to minimize the chances of nursing caries.
➔ Don't use fluoridated toothpaste for your child until 2-3 years of age, as it can induce fluorosis.
➔ Develop your child's habit of brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush using a minor fluoridated toothpaste (only a pea-sized one) after the age of three years.
➔ Make them learn the proper brushing technique, not to swallow the toothpaste, and spit immediately after brushing.
➔ Don't give juice or sweetened liquids, as it can increase the chances of tooth decay.
➔ Limit their consumption of chocolates, soft drinks, and candies to avoid exposure to sugar as much as possible.
Ready to Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthier & Brighter?
Parents should wait for their child's right age for the first dentist visit and book their appointment as soon as possible to keep their growth and development on track!
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