There are so many things you need to learn and know when you are a new parent. One thing you might not have known is that you need to take your child to the dentist by 12 months of age to get them used to and comfortable with visiting the dentist. Or you could take your child to the dentist within 6 months of their first tooth coming in.
The first visit will usually take about 30-45 minutes, but it depends on how uncomfortable or fearful your child is. Keep reading for 5 questions to ask your Lexington pediatric dentist to make your child’s first visit a success.
1. When Should I Bring My Child for Their First Visit?
Even though experts say that you should bring your child in by 12 months of age, you might be worried that your child has some special teeth issues that should be addressed earlier. If that’s the case, then you can inquire with your Lexington pediatric dentist if you need to bring your child in to see them earlier.
If you notice that your child is developing bad teeth habits, then you will want to converse with your dentist and bring your child in sooner so he/she can get the help they need. Remember that even if your child has no teeth yet, the dentist can examine their gums and mouth cavity to ensure that everything looks good.
Oral health isn’t something to play around with. Your child’s oral health and habits could affect their smile and confidence levels for a long time to come, so you will want to do the best you can.
2. Do Baby Teeth Matter?
Unfortunately, many parents have a false notion that because baby teeth fall out they don’t matter that much. Are you surprised to read that’s not the case?
Adult teeth grow quite slowly, so it can take all the way until your child’s teens for them to get all their permanent teeth. That’s why you need to start them on their oral health journey right now. It will be much harder for your children to change their habits later down the road if they are already set in stone from now onwards.
Baby teeth also provide the pathway for adult teeth to grow healthily. If you aren’t paying enough attention to your child’s baby teeth, you might not notice that one or more of their baby teeth didn’t fall out, resulting in the permanent teeth underneath growing out crooked. This could cause your child to need braces to correct the defect.
Avoid this humongous expense by taking care of your child’s baby teeth from the get-go. The time you spend here is well worth it, believe us.
3. How Can I Take Care of My Child’s Baby Teeth?
There are many oral health habits that you can learn from your Lexington pediatric dentist and in turn, teach your child. These will form the foundation of your child’s dental habits for a long time to come.
This is even more true when your child’s baby teeth come in since there will be certain things you need to do to ensure the health of these teeth. You can run a damp, clean washcloth over the gums and teeth to ensure that the bacteria are washed away. Do this after each meal (even when they don’t have any teeth), and at bedtime.
Also, you could use an infant toothbrush and a teeny bit of toothpaste to clean them as well. This can start as soon as your baby’s first tooth pokes out.
All this information is necessary for you to take care of your child’s baby teeth properly, but you wouldn’t know it unless you were advised so by your pediatric dentist. Now you understand the crucial nature of choosing the best Lexington pediatric dentist for your child’s oral health.
4. Are X-Rays Safe for Children?
Do you worry about taking your child to the dentist because X-rays could have a potentially harmful effect on them? Firstly, X-rays are only taken when imperative. Your child might not even need an X-ray until they are much older.
Secondly, remember that X-rays are completely safe, not only for your children but also for you. The dentist and his/her assistant will do what they can to keep your child safe and reduce exposure to radiation as much as possible.
5. What Should I Expect for My Child’s First Visit?
Your child’s first visit to the dentist can be a monumental occasion and you might be feeling fearful, emotional, or several other emotions about it. That’s quite understandable.
But you will need to be a rock for your child so they don’t get scared by dentist visits, as that can spell disaster in the future. That’s why speaking to your Lexington pediatric dentist about your child’s first visit and what to expect is essential.
You can prepare yourself and your child for whatever will follow, making the visit much smoother and drama-free. You could even tell your child some bedtime stories or read them some books about dental visits, so you can better prepare them for it. Making the whole visit fun and engaging is the best way to do it.
Your Lexington Pediatric Dentist Is Here to Help
You are not alone in this oral health journey. There is no need to battle with the dragons on your own. Call upon your Lexington pediatric dentist to assist you throughout the journey.
Your child’s oral health and habits are important to you. They are important to your pediatric dentist as well. Cooperation is key here.
If you are still searching for the best Lexington pediatric dentist, look no further. Contact the Pediatric Dentist of Hamburg today!
Recent Comments