Your Child’s First Visit to the Family Dentist
Have you taken your toddler to a pediatric dentist? Taking your child to see a dentist before their second birthday is important to their oral health. Children need to learn at a young age why it is important to carefully care for their teeth and gums. Click here to schedule an appointment with a family dentist If this is their first appointment to the dentist, here are some of the things they can expect.
Meeting your Family Dentist
The first appointment is all about getting the child comfortable with the family dentist and their staff. The dental office will have a welcoming environment that is geared toward children. It will include things that make children feel comfortable including books, toys, televisions, and other things. The pediatric office is welcoming toward children as it is geared toward their needs. The initial appointment will include a small tour of the office, and explaining all of the different things to the child. They will learn about the x-ray machine, tools the dentist uses, and the dental chair. The entire visit is designed to help the child understand what happens with future dental visits.
Examination
If the child feels comfortable with the dentist and their staff, they may let the dentist do an examination. The family dentist will not pressure them as they do not want to make the child feel uncomfortable or scared. If the child feels ready to have the dentist look at their teeth, the dentist will do a basic examination of their teeth to check for problems. Usually the child will not let a dentist do x-rays on their first appointment as they may be scared and overwhelmed by the visit to their office. If the family dentist is able to examine the child’s teeth, they will check their bite, and will look for concerns. Most children will have decay problems with their molars and between the front teeth. The dentist will recommend follow-up appointments to work on the teeth. Some patients can do at-home treatments to reverse tooth decay in these earlier stages.
Cleaning
Before the dentist does the examination, they may have an assistant clean the child’s teeth. This part is normally easy for a child to sit though as they get to taste fun flavors of toothpaste that they may not have at home. The cleaning process will involve brushing of the teeth and flossing. The assistant may do a few additional cleaning techniques to help reduce the amount of plaque in the mouth. They will then paint on a layer of fluoride to help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride treatments are recommended for children as it is the best way to protect the teeth from bacteria that causes cavities.
Brushing Habits
The dentist will talk to your child about the importance of brushing their teeth. They will show them how to correctly hold a toothbrush, and why they need to brush their teeth for at least two minutes to correctly remove bacteria. The dentist will send your child home with a new toothbrush and toothpaste they can use to clean their teeth. The dentist will also speak to your child about healthy eating, and will explain why sugar can be so dangerous to their teeth.
Follow-Up
If your child does have decay problems, the dentist will need to schedule additional appointments to help with decay problems. Call Jenson Dental in Brigham City, UT today for more information about scheduling your child’s dental appointment.
