Taking your child to his or her first dental appointment can be a daunting task, especially if you have fear of the dentist yourself. However, your child’s first dental appointment can be a stress-free endeavor if you plan ahead and know what to expect.
We see many children at our dental office in Parma Heights, Ohio, which is located in Cuyahoga County. Our hygienists are friendly and truly enjoy our youngest dental patients!
Please read on for our top tips to make your child’s first dental appointment absolutely amazing!
First Dental Appointment: Getting Ready
Most dentists recommend that children be seen by the age of one, or within six months of his or her first tooth. Odds are good that at this young age, your child won’t be the least bit concerned about visiting the dentists. However, if your child is a bit older and experiencing some fear of the dentist, you can make sure he or she is prepared by explaining what exactly will happen at the first visit, why dental checkups are important, and by sharing dentist-positive books and videos with them.
First Dental Appointment: What to Expect
Your child’s first dental visit will most likely be very short and involve very little treatment. This quick and easy first visit is usually scheduled to give your child an opportunity to meet the dentist in a calm and friendly way.
Many dentists will ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the first examination and might also ask that you spend part of the visit in the reception area so that a positive relationship can be built between your child and the dentist.
During the short exam, the dentist will check your child’s existing teeth for decay, examine your child’s bite, and look for any potential issues with the gums, jaw, and oral tissue.
If necessary, the dentist or hygienist will also clean any teeth and determine whether or not fluoride treatment is necessary. After the exam, your dentist will also want to discuss oral health with you and will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
First Dental Appointment: Topics to Discuss
During the first visit, the dentist will also want to go over the basics of pediatric oral health with you and your child. Topics that he or she will most likely cover include:
- Good oral hygiene practices
- Fluoride needs
- Oral habits such as thumb or lip sucking
- Developmental milestones
- Teething
- Proper nutrition for oral health
- The recommended schedule of dental checkups. Most dentists prefer to see pediatric patients every six months so that the child’s comfort and trust levels can be built up. Dentists also like to regularly monitor tooth development so that any issues can be promptly addressed.
Ready for Your Child’s First Dental Appointment?
Have a question for Dr. Kennth J. Wolnik about your child’s oral health? If you’re in Cleveland, Ohio, and ready to schedule your child’s first dental appointment, please contact Dr. Kennth J. Wolnik online or at:
Address
6363 York Rd, Ste 202
Parma Heights, OH 44130
Phone
(440) 888-5055
Email
[email protected]
Office Hours
Monday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Friday: 7:30am – 1:00pm