Your Child’s First Dental Visit-Establishing A “Dental Home
March 10, 2020 7:38 amWhen children are tiny there are lots of things to remember, and visiting the dentist might not feel important at all. However, it’s never too early to start thinking of dentistry for kids. The official stance from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is to make the first visit by their first birthday. However, while that’s a good guideline, teeth will likely show through much sooner than that. In which case, it makes sense not to wait, and instead visit the dentist when that first tooth comes through.
- Why does it matter?
Childhood cavities are on the rise. Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which can be down to poor diet, the wrong habits or inadequate dental care. Infant’s teeth are very important because they help guide adult teeth into the right places. If infant’s teeth are lost early, then it can lead to complications later on. There’s also the consideration that decayed teeth are uncomfortable and painful.
- What can the dentist do?
A pediatric dental center can help you avoid this fate. Even if you have a great dental care routine, the dentist can help with extra advice and tips. For example, your dentist will check if your child has enough fluoride in their diet. In a place of bottled water like Dubai, where there’s no fluoridated tap water, that’s a really important question! They can also help with problem habits like thumb sucking.
- What will happen?
Your child will see a special pediatric dentist. These dentists make sure their environment is fun for kids, with colourful décor and toys. They are specially trained to help kids feel at ease and enjoy the check-up. This cements a great relationship in place, so your child isn’t afraid of the dentist later. The first appointment probably won’t include much check-up work as the main aim is to help your child feel happy about being there! This all makes it easier to carry on those good habits into adulthood – and keep a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. If you are nervous or distracting for your child (even without meaning to) then the dentist might ask you to wait outside. Don’t worry if this happens – it’s just so that your feelings don’t bother your child or create any negative feeling.
- What about treatments?
Your dentist can offer a range of helpful treatments that can help keep the best dental health in place. If your child is vulnerable to developing cavities then your dentist might offer something like a fluoride varnish. The dentist might also suggest a professional clean. If there is already damage to the teeth then your dentist might have to fill a cavity or perform other work. it’s always better to seek out help to fix these problems as early as possible before they get worse!
- How often should my child visit the dentist?
Every six months – just the same as adults. This will help the dentist to spot any problems early on, and treat them much more quickly and easily than if they had longer to develop. To get the most out of your appointments, you might find it helpful to write down any questions you have before the visit. If it can be managed, it’s also best not to have other children there at the appointment, as it can be distracting for everyone.
- How to choose the right dentist
Make sure to choose a specialist pediatric dental center, rather than a general dentist for adults. That’s because children have different dental needs and problems to those of adults. A pediatric dentist has all the normal dental training, plus extra years to cater just for children – so you will be in safe hands!
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