He’s only six months old; he’s only just gotten his first tooth, and his first twirl in the dentist chair is the last thing on your mind… but maybe it shouldn’t be. If you’re wondering when is the right time to start establishing best oral health practices, the answer is “sooner than you think.”
Your baby’s first trip to the dentist should happen before his first birthday.
The general rule to follow is six months after the eruption of his first tooth. So start the clock now, and call Smilez Pediatric Dental Group Loudoun to schedule his very first cleaning today.
Start ‘em early; that’s our motto. Even itty bitty baby teeth can decay. And so the earlier you introduce your little one to the right and wrong ways to take care of his teeth; and the earlier you, as a new parent, learn to clean his teeth and to identify his fluoride needs, the better off you’ll all be.
Children and adults alike too often feel fear and anxiety in anticipation of visiting the dentist. This just shouldn’t be so; there’s nothing to feel scared about. Bringing your child to the dentist early and often will not only lead to a lifetime of good oral habits, but it’ll make him feel more comfortable here, which will lead to plenty of stress-free visits in the future.
What will happen during our first pediatric dental visit?
Baby’s first dental visit is usually nothing more than an introductory icebreaker, to give your child a chance to get to know the dentist, and vice versa. This new environment may be frightening, so patience and calm on your part will go a long way toward building his trust in the dentist and the dental office.
Lasting just 15 or 30 minutes, and depending upon the age of your little one at his first dental visit, Dr. Bhatti might conduct a gentle but thorough examination of his teeth, jaw, bite, gums and oral tissues to monitor growth and development and observe any problem areas; a gentle cleaning to polish and remove any tartar build up; x-rays; a demonstration of proper home cleaning; and an assessment of the need for fluoride.
Your Dulles pediatric dentist recommends scheduling appointments in the morning whenever possible. If your child is under the age of three, we may ask that you sit in the dental chair and hold him during the examination and cleaning. Parents of older children may be asked to wait in the reception area so that our hygienists and dentist may build a personal, meaningful relationship with your child.
Call Smilez Pediatric Dental Group Loudoun to schedule baby’s first dental visit today. If you are looking for Pediatric dental services in Gainesville, Warrenton or Manassas visit our Gainesville Pediatric Dentist Office.
