Whether your child has a couple of teeth growing in or a mouth full of teeth, it is essential to start thinking about his/her oral health. Baby teeth aren’t permanent, but it is critical to keep those tiny teeth and gums healthy for the permanent teeth to grow in. Baby teeth begin growing between the ages of six months and one year. The development of your children’s teeth is crucial to the formation of clear speech and discovering to chew food properly. Here are some things that can make your child’s first few visits to the dentist easier.

Expose them to the dentist as soon as possible.
The younger your child is during their first visit to the dentist, the better. This will help them learn early on that the dentist is nothing to fear. We recommend that children visit the dentist before they turn 1 or when the first tooth starts to peek through.

Introduce the concept of brushing teeth early.
We know it’s not easy to brush a baby’s small teeth — or a toddler’s! But children who learn healthy habits at home early tend to fare far better at the dentist and with overall oral health.

Don’t lie, but don’t discuss all the details.
Most dentists keep early visits with children easy and short; the main idea is to get them used to sitting in the chair and opening their mouth. Explain what will happen: tell them that the dentist is going to check their teeth to make sure everything looks okay. However, don’t make any promises about shots or cavities — just in case. There are many books and shows you can share with your child that depict characters going to the dentist that may help him/her understand.

Take your child to your dental visit.
If you can, try to bring your child to one of your dental checkups. Seeing you get a cleaning will build an immense amount of trust about the process and alleviate stress. On the other hand, if you struggle with dental fear, avoid bringing your child with you because they will likely be able to detect your despair.

Do you have questions about your child’s dental visit? Ask us next time you’re in or contact our team to get answers now.