Childs First Visit

When you have a child, it can feel like you're juggling. There are so many things to remember to keep your child happy and healthy. You have to find a pediatrician you like. You need to find just the right preschool. You need to make sure you're providing a healthy diet. All of these are important.

Also important are your child's teeth. From the time your child's first teeth start to emerge, you will want to take them to a pediatric dentist. With regular monitoring, a pediatric dentist can help track the progress of your child's teeth, bite, and general dental health. In addition, a pediatric dentist can help guide you in the best way to manage your child's oral hygiene routine.

Even knowing how helpful your pediatric dentist will be, it can be nerve-wracking for both you and your child to visit for the first time. Here at Dr. Beanca Children's Dentistry, we aim to make this experience as enjoyable as possible. Keep reading to learn more.

Before You Visit the Dentist

Dental experts agree that you should take your baby to see a pediatric dentist after their first tooth emerges or by their first birthday—whichever comes first. Before that, however, there are things you can do to ensure proper oral hygiene from the time your baby is just a few days old.

After each feeding, use a damp cloth or gauze pad to clean your baby's gums. This will help keep them clear of bacteria and avoid health issues caused by those bacteria. Be sure to hold your baby in a position that's comfortable for you both and wipe gently.

Once your child's first tooth comes in, you can begin to use a small, soft toothbrush with a grain-of-rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Using a gentle, circular motion around the tooth and gums will help prevent tooth decay. Don't forget to include the tongue in your cleaning, as bacteria can form there as well.

When that first tooth has erupted, it's time to call your local pediatric dentist. (Keep in mind that family dentists may treat children, but don't always have any additional training geared toward caring for children. A pediatric dentist is a specialist who has gone through rigorous training to learn not just about a child's particular dental needs but also about child psychology and how to best manage a practice focused on children.)

Your Child's First Dental Visit

So, you've scheduled your child's first dental appointment. What should you expect during that first visit? How should you prepare your child for that first visit? Don't worry, we're here to let you know exactly what will happen when you first come to Dr. Beanca Children's Dentistry—or wherever your local pediatric dentist office is—and how to get your child ready to visit.

Preparing Your Child

No matter how old your child is when you visit a new pediatric dentist, they may experience some amount of anxiety—this is only natural. Just like it's helpful for you to know what the dental visit may entail, it will also be helpful for your child to be informed before you head out the door.

Talking with your child about what to expect is a great place to begin. You can tell them about the kinds of things they'll see such as the dentist, the dentist's chair, and the tools. You can explain that the dentist will be checking their teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy, and that this exam will not be painful.

Literature and videos can be helpful aids when prepping your child for a visit to the dentist. For very young children (ages 1-2), Tooth by Leslie Patricelli introduces them to the purpose of teeth and why they are so important. For older children (ages 3-7), Dora Goes to the Doctor/Dora Goes to the Dentist offers a look at what it's like to visit the dentist's office (and also includes a bonus look at the doctor's office). These are just two of many, many books out there about teeth and the dentist.

Videos can also be great for calming the nerves of a child who is facing their first visit to the dentist. As with literature about going to the dentist, there are many videos to choose from. A great, short video about going to the dentist is titled "A Child's First Dental Visit" from My Kid's Dentist. Another video which shares information about going to the dentist is "Visiting the Dentist" from Everyday Learning. Regardless of which route you choose, your child will be calmer and less anxious if they are armed with some information ahead of time.

What Will Happen at Your Child's First Appointment?

The first visit to the dentist will contain a short exam and a great deal of educational information. The pediatric dentist will be checking your child's mouth for signs of tooth decay. They will also check for signs of any other issues, such as defects with tooth enamel or problems with how teeth are coming in. Starting to keep track of your child's dental progress will help in terms of later determining if your child will need orthodontics.

The bulk of the first visit, however, will be educational in nature. Your pediatric dentist will want to make sure you are well-versed in how to best take care of your child's teeth. They can demonstrate proper brushing techniques and describe what to watch out for in terms of issues that may need to be addressed. If your child is older, they may go over the best ways to floss your child's teeth.

Furthermore, your pediatric dentist will want to make sure you understand how important your child's diet is and its connection to growing healthy teeth. Most people know that sugary foods aren't good for teeth—bacteria combine with sugars to form acids that can eat away at teeth, causing cavities. Starchy foods such as white bread, chips, and crackers contain carbohydrates that break down into sugars, also potentially feeding the bacteria and causing tooth decay. Your pediatric dentist can work with you to create a diet, along with dietary habits, that will help ensure your child's teeth remain strong and free of decay.

Making Your First Appointment

Has your child's first tooth already appeared? Is your child about to celebrate their first birthday? If so, it's time to go ahead and make that first appointment. Don't worry, you can always swing by our office to check it out beforehand. Your child's teeth are important, and at Dr. Beanca Children's Dentistry, we want to help you make sure their dental journey is one of health and happiness from the very beginning.