When You Should First Take Your Child in for Family Dentistry

Parents are often unsure when to take their children in to see the dentist for the first time. Many think that waiting to take their child in when they actually have a smile to take care of makes sense. In reality, your child should have their first dental visit much younger. Early visits to the dentist keep your love one’s mouth healthy, but it also sets them up for oral health success down the road. Keep reading to discover when you should first take your child to the dentist, what family dentistry is like, and some tips on how to keep their mouth healthy.

When Should My Little One First See the Dentist?

Bring your child in as early as 6 months. These early visits are mainly educational and to track the eruption and health of the teeth.

What is the First Visit Like?

During your child’s first visit to the dentist, there won’t be much dental work done at all. This appointment is to get them familiar with the dentist’s office and to allow them to explore. Once your loved one has used the dentist’s chair and is comfortable, your dentist will take a look at your child’s mouth.

The first visit allows children to get acclimated and comfortable in a new environment, and it also familiarizes them with dental language for future visits. Last but not least, your dentist will do a swift examination to look for decay or any other dental issues in the teeth, gums, jaw, or mouth.

After your child is done with their visit, your dentist will answer any questions you may have and provide you tips on how to take care of your kid’s oral health year-round.

How Can I Take Care of My Child’s Teeth at Home?

Check out some easy tips and tricks you can use as a parent to keep your family’s teeth looking and feeling great below:

• Be a role model: Children tend to model behavior after their parents, so show them that taking care of your teeth is fun. Make brushing time a party by doing it with them, playing music, or dancing. You can teach them how to brush their teeth and why it’s important to take care of their smile.
• Cut back on the bottle at naptime: Be mindful to clean your baby’s teeth after they have milk. Milk has a lot of sugar and can cause decay in kids’ smiles as early as 1 year old. The more your baby eats on a regular schedule, the better it is for the health of their teeth. While asleep, there is very little swallowing, which means whatever is in your child’s teeth will stay there all night long. That’s why nighttime brushing is so important.
• Watch the juice: Juice is a popular beverage for kids, but the sugars put them at a higher risk for decay. Try having them drink water instead. It naturally washes away bacteria on the teeth and gums, so water is a great drink for your little one throughout the day.

Now that you know when to take your kids to their first dentist’s appointment, contact your local family dentist to set up a visit. Be sure to use the above tips to keep your child’s mouth looking and feeling great!

Meet the Dentist

Dr. Andrew Tadros enjoys providing quality care to patients of all ages in East Dallas. He understands that the first visit can be intimidating for the child and the parent, which is why he provides information on what to expect. He currently practices at Del Rey Dental, and he can be contacted through his website or by phone at 469.917.7444 for any questions.