When Should I Take My Child To Their First Dental Appointment

Every child is a parent’s delight. We dote over them, worry when they are sick and celebrate every developmental milestone of their young life. Thus, for their health and general well-being, we have their pediatricians to go to for regular check-ups and for the occasional cold or fever. But one question every parent asks is how early should my child see the dentist? When the best time and what is the ideal age for that first visit?

Dental Visits: How Soon Is Too Soon?

Ideally, your child’s first visit to the dentist should take place before they reach their first birthday or within six months from the time their first tooth erupts. Remember, tooth decay can happen anytime as soon as your child begins to grow his or her tooth or teeth. However, it is generally acceptable to do this between the ages of two to three but bringing them earlier comes with certain advantages.

But It’s Only Milk Teeth!

Oftentimes, parents harbor the mistaken notion that since baby teeth are not yet permanent and since your child will eventually lose them in due time, there isn’t much that can be done about them. Please realize, however, that even if we can’t see them, your child's permanent teeth are already developing under their baby teeth. This is why it is very important for the dentist to see at the soonest if the development of your child’s teeth is taking place in the normal way.

Getting Baby Used To The Dentist

First visits are usually about getting your child used to and being comfortable in sitting in a dentist's chair. Thus, if your child’s first visit to the dentist is done early enough, is not associated with any pains or aches and is relatively stress-free, then it will turn out to be a positive experience for your child, free from anxiety and fear. This is especially crucial so that any trauma associated with visits to the dentist can be avoided.

Should the time come for you to go to the dentist for real teeth problems, your child will now have developed an understanding and appreciation that the dentist is his or her friend.

To help in this, it is best to bring your child for his or her first dental visit to a pediatric or family dentist. These types of dentist have received additional training in treating children and understanding their psychological make-up and needs. Their clinics are also designed with children in mind and are filled with child-friendly amenities and stuff like toys and games, play areas, and prizes to make children look forward to their next visits.

Bringing your child to the dentist before any dental problem has taken place helps you take better care of your child’s teeth. You can learn, at the earliest possible time, the proper way to clean their teeth, to know their fluoride needs, prevent plaque from building-up and avoid the formation of cavities.  It is this type of positive experience with you and with their dentist at an early age that helps your child form and develop proper dental care habits as he or she grows older.

A Family Dental Care Center
2030 W. Main St.
Jeffersonville, PA 19403

How Often Should I Brush and Floss?

Brushing and flossing are two major elements of dental hygiene. Both actions can help to keep plaque levels down to a minimum and reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Mouth bacteria are harsh invaders that can spread fast if you do not constantly fight them with dental products. If you brush and floss on an acceptable schedule, then you can avoid requiring extensive work when you visit your local dentist for a checkup. You should never go without brushing or flossing, and you should be mindful of the amount of time you spend performing either activity. The following are some tips pertaining to brushing and flossing:

Brushing

Brushing at least twice per day is imperative. A first morning brush is necessary to remove the buildup of plaque and bacteria that forms a layer over your teeth while you are sleeping. Brushing once at night can help to add some protection to the inside of your mouth when you go to bed. You should brush your teeth for approximately two minutes and make sure that you touch all surfaces. A two-minute brushing session will ensure that the fluoride penetrates your tooth enamel and does its job. A wide range of fortified toothpastes is available to add to your level of protection. Additionally, brushing extra times throughout the course of the day cannot hurt you at all. The more you brush, the more you eliminate bacteria. 

Flossing

Flossing has a great deal of benefits that come with it. One of the greatest benefits of flossing is that it eliminates bad breath that is caused by plaque and food particles in between the teeth. The recommended number of times you should floss per day is once. However, flossing can help you in between meals and before you retire for the night. Mint-coated antiseptic floss is the best kind to use because of its anti-bacterial properties. Therefore, you will want to search for a brand that offers layers of protection against the harsh elements that invade your mouth.

Additional Tips

Gentle antiseptic mouthwashes can help to keep your breath smelling fresh, and they can add moisture and hydration to the mouth by stimulating the glands. You can use them once or twice per day in addition to vigorous flossing and brushing. If you have any problems such as tooth pain, bad breath or bleeding gums, you should schedule an appointment with an emergency facility.

A Family Dental Care Center
2030 W. Main St.
Jeffersonville, PA 19403