First Visit to the Dentist
It’s very important to bring your child to the dentist for regular checkups, even when there are no obvious problems.
Tooth decay and cavities are common among children, and have a significant impact on their overall health. Hence, it is essential to have early intervention and preventative treatment.
Visiting the dentist for the first time can be scary for some children. Before the visit, it helps to keep your child comfortable, set positive expectations, and avoid reinforcing negative misconceptions such as the presence of big needles etc.
You can expect a comprehensive oral examination, including counting the teeth and inspecting the gums, lips, tongue, and the inside of their cheeks. Proper brushing techniques and dietary advice will be discussed.
Benefits of Visiting the Dentist
Taking your children to a dentist regularly is essential for their health. Having teeth clean and free of decay is crucial for preventing tooth infection. Other benefits of visiting the dentist are the following:
Prevent Oral Health Issues
One purpose of dental appointments is to detect problems as early as possible. Early detection can stop or slow tooth decay; early intervention prevents oral disease progression and saves money.
Encourage good dental health
The dentist will detect any oral problems and treat them before they worsen. We will also do a gentle cleaning/scaling of your child’s teeth, which maintains their oral health.
Encourage children to have proper dental hygiene
Early and regular dental checkups will improve your child’s attitude towards dental visits. Moreover, they offer the benefit of getting information about a nutritious diet, what to do with thumb-sucking, and what to expect from teething in toddlers.
Why You Should Choose Subi Smilemakers in Subiaco for Your Child's First Dental Visit
It’s not a secret that most parents are apprehensive about bringing their children for dental visits. We understand your feelings, and we respect them because you want to keep them safe from any possible pain they may feel at this age.
Subi Smilemakers ensures that your child has a fun experience during their first visit as we understand the importance of building a positive relationship with kids.
We provide different services for children, and our team has experience providing oral care for them.
Our goal is to be a trusted practice, that provides Subiaco families with quality dental care at every age level, from toddlers to teens. If you are looking for a dental clinic for your kids, you are in the right place!
Frequently asked questions
At What Age Should Your Child's First Dental Visit Be?
Your child should have their first dental visit when their first tooth appears. This usually happens at when they are around one year old. Visiting the dentist early will help prevent the onset of dental problems in your child.
What Happens During Their First Dental Visit?
This appointment allows your child to meet the dentist in a welcoming and comfortable environment. During the check-up, the dentist will look for decay in your child’s teeth, check their bite, and inspect their gums, jaw, and oral tissues. They will clean your child’s teeth and determine if any treatment is needed. We will also inform parents about how to maintain your child’s oral health.
The dentist will also discuss the following topics during the first dental check-up:
- Teething
- Dietary advice
- How to prevent dental decay
- Proper brushing techniques
- Soft oral tissues
- Bite or expectations about how your child’s teeth will grow
Thumb-sucking
When should children get their first dental x-ray?
If the child is more susceptible to baby bottle tooth decay, with cleft lip or palate, a dental x-ray may recommend a dental professional. Children at the age of five or six may typically undergo x-rays.
Moreover, x-rays play a vital part in assisting your dentist in determining if all of the adult teeth are growing in the jaw, looking for bite problems, and determining if teeth are clean and healthy.
If you are concerned about whether your baby or child needs x-rays, you can give us a call or set up an appointment.
The difference between a pediatric dentist and a regular dentist
Pediatric dentists complete at least two additional years of training beyond dental school. Additionally, dentists are trained in managing and treating developing teeth, child behaviour, physical growth, and the specific needs of children. Regardless of which dentist you choose, both will be able to address all your child’s oral health care needs. Still, pediatric dentistry, its staff, and even the office dècor are tailored specifically for children.
How to choose a dentist for your child
There are several factors you may want to consider when choosing a dentist for your child, and these may include the following:
- The ambience of the dental office.
- The dentist’s experience.
- The cost and payment plans.
- Availability of the clinic at the dentist.
- Call the clinic and inquire about treatments and services.
- Check your insurance policy.
How to prepare for your child's first dental visit
Parents play a critical part in making visits to the dentist a happy and positive experience. It is common for children to feel hesitant and a bit apprehensive in unfamiliar surroundings. The Australian Dental Association recommends that when discussing about the dentist, you use positive and child-friendly words such as “visiting the tooth fairy’s friend” or “going for a ride in the dental chair.”
Also, prepare a list of questions regarding your child’s feeding, oral habits, and teething.
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