A child’s first dental appointment is an important part of their development. Both from an oral health point of view, and from the point of view of creating a healthy bond with the dentist at a young age. Primary teeth play such an important role in so many aspects of a person’s life that it is essential to schedule your child’s first dental appointment early. The Canadian Dental Association and dentists recommend that your child’s first dental appointment take place about half a year after the first baby tooth appears.
Why Is a Child’s First Dental Appointment So Important?
Healthy baby teeth are important for a youngster’s sense of confidence and self-esteem. Your child’s first dental appointment can help the dentist to find problems before they become too large to fix. With a mouth full of healthy teeth, your child can smile widely all day long.
As baby teeth emerge through the gums, they make room for the adult teeth to develop. At your child’s first dental appointment, the dentist will assess the size, shape, and positioning of the baby teeth that have already come through, checking to make sure that everything is progressing as well as it should.
What Happens at Your Child’s First Dental Appointment?
At your child’s first dental appointment, the dentist checks to see how well daily brushing of the teeth has been going. He discusses this with the parent and might even offer a few tips on how to improve your child’s handling of this situation. During your child’s first dental appointment, the dentist will look for signs of tooth decay or problems with the gums. If severe decay is discovered, your child will probably have x-rays taken so the dentist can see what is happening.
Establishing good oral health care habits begins at home, but it continues with your child’s first dental appointment. Your child’s first dental appointment is one in a long line of visits that can help to identify problems before they get out of hand. This visit provides an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have about the best way to care for your child’s teeth. If you can teach your child good oral care habits at an early age, you can help to create a healthy pattern of brushing and flossing that lasts a lifetime.
