The first dental visit for your child is a complete examination of their jaws, teeth, and gums and to check growth and development. A childrens dentist makes the process fun and friendly. The first dental visit should be when your child is 12 months or six months after their first teeth erupt.
Depending on your child’s age, a first visit can mean a brief examination, an introduction between your child and the dentist, or a brief dental cleaning. Most often, a childrens dentist might perform some common treatments, such as removing stains, plaque, and tartar.
The visit usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Again, depending on your child’s age, you might or might not sit with them in the dental examination room.
As a parent, especially if this is your first child, ask as many questions as possible. The children’s dentist will teach you about pacifier habits, teething, finger-sucking habits, tooth cleaning, and infant feeding practices. Baby bottle tooth decay is common among babies, and this is the person to ask how to prevent it.
During this visit, it’s doubtful that a dentist will perform an X-ray. However, depending on your child’s age, a children’s dentist might recommend an X-ray to diagnose decay. An X-ray can show if there is any jammed baby tooth root blocking the growth of the adult tooth. But unless necessary, avoid taking X-rays during the first visit.
The first visit to a childrens dentist is all about dental hygiene education. As a parent, ask as many questions as you can. The visit also helps to build trust between the dentist and your child. After the first visit, ensure you attend further clinics as your dentist recommends.
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