We serve many Tampa area families in our dental practice, so we are often asked by patients when a child should start having dental visits. We usually suggest bringing a child in after the first tooth emerges, or by the child’s first birthday.
Your child’s first dental appointment will be more like an opportunity to get your child acquainted with the dentist. Your child may be frightened, uncomfortable, or uncooperative – but this is no cause for concern. If necessary, the visit can be rescheduled. Kind and patient reassurance for your child will go a long way.
Before making a dental appointment, we suggest getting your child prepared for that first visit. Here are five things you can do:
1. Once the first tooth comes in, begin teaching your child about oral health. Talk to them about the importance of taking good care of that new tooth.
2. Encourage tooth brushing by making it fun! Sing a song to help your child know how long to brush. Making this time enjoyable could make going to the dentist more comfortable.
3. Share books about visiting the dentist with your child. There are many great picture books available that will make visit more exciting.
4. Show your child pictures of your dentist and the dental office to ease fear of the unknown. Tell them about special toys or books that are in the waiting area.
5. Have a pretend dental visit with your child ahead of time. This will get the child acquainted with the things that will happen at the appointment.
Getting children on the right track with good dental habits early will help them to enjoy a healthy smile for a lifetime. Starting when they are small will allow them to grow up feeling comfortable with the dental office, reducing anxiety and fear. Early recognition of the importance of dental care will make children more likely to continue good habits into adulthood.
At Weninger Dentistry, we do all that we can to make sure that our patients, of all ages, are comfortable with their dental visits.