Is your child’s first dental appointment coming up? Here’s what to expect.
The moment you notice your child's teeth poking through their gums it’s time to start bringing them to the dentist. The sooner you start thinking about your child’s oral health and what you can do to keep their developing smile healthy, the better. If you’ve scheduled an upcoming appointment with our Augusta, GA, pediatric dentist Dr. Tina Moses, here’s how to prepare your toddler and yourself.
Is it time to visit the dentist?
It’s important to know when to start bringing your child in to visit their Augusta, GA, pediatric dentist. It’s a good idea to schedule your child’s first visit by the time they turn one year old. Of course, if you notice teeth coming in before they turn one, then you’ll want to schedule their first checkup within six months of their first tooth erupting.
What will happen during my child’s first dental visit?
While this may be completely new territory for you and your child, parents are often relieved to hear that their child’s first dental checkup is fairly quick and easy. This is the very first time we get to meet your child, so it’s the perfect occasion to get to know them and to get them comfortable with coming into our office.
Part of this checkup involves having your child open their mouth wide so we can check the health of their gums and any teeth that have erupted to look for decay or plaque buildup. If there is plaque or tartar buildup, one of our hygienists will need to clean your child’s teeth.
Along with getting to know you and your child a whole lot better, and performing a simple oral exam, we will also provide helpful tips and advice for how to keep your child’s teeth healthy and clean. We can address everything from diets that will support the development of strong, healthy teeth to ways to prevent thumb sucking (which can lead to overbites and other “bad bites”). We can also show you ways to brush and floss your child’s teeth safely but effectively.
If you have any questions, make sure to bring these questions with you so that we can provide you with the answers you need.
Whether you have questions about our pediatric dental practice, or you need to schedule your little one’s first appointment with our Augusta, GA, pediatric dentist Dr. Moses, don’t hesitate to call us at (706) 863-6262.