Your child’s dental health plays a critical role in their overall quality of life. As a parent, you want to ensure you’re doing everything you can to keep your child’s teeth healthy.
One important step to take is scheduling your child’s first pediatric dental appointment. Coordinating with a dental professional early in a child’s life is key to optimizing their dental wellness. The following guide will answer your questions about exactly when the right time to bring your child to the dentist may be.
When to Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child’s first visit with their dentist should occur by age 1 or within six months of the first tooth erupting. This early dental visit will establish a dental home and provide a foundation upon which a lifetime of preventive education and oral health care can be built.
The Purpose of a Child’s First Dental Appointment
Early dental visits for infants and their families offer an opportunity to educate and inform parents about their children’s oral health. In dental anticipatory guidance, providers counsel caregivers in infant oral hygiene, home and office-based fluoride therapies, dietary practices and caries risk assessment.
A child’s first dental appointment is arguably as important for the parents as it is for the child. During your child’s first appointment, the dentist may offer you suggestions for caring for your child’s oral health. They will also answer any questions you may have.
Questions to Ask During Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment
Questions to consider asking your child’s dentist include:
- What is the proper way to brush my child’s teeth?
- When should my child start flossing? How should I floss their teeth when they are too young to do so themselves?
- What toothpaste is ideal for a child? What type of toothbrush?
- Aside from the obvious (such as candy and soda), are there any foods and beverages I should limit in my child’s diet to protect their teeth and gums?
- What steps can I take to cultivate positive attitudes towards dental care in my child?
Those are just a few examples. Be sure to ask any questions of your own that you may have.
A Child’s First Dentist Appointment Lays the Foundation for Dental Health
Odds are your child’s first dentist appointment will primarily be an educational experience. However, it’s a critical one. Ensuring your child receives professional dental care at an early age allows you to set them on the path to a lifetime of oral health.
Schedule Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment in Maplewood, NJ
At Marigold Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our goal is to ensure your child enjoys a lifetime of quality dental and oral health. To request an appointment for your child, contact us online or call us at 973-821-7161.