When Should My Child Start Going to the Dentist?

Here at Northwest Family Dental, we are often asked by our clients about the right time to bring their kids for their very first dental check-up. It is safe to say that the right age would be between six months to two years old, just when your child’s first teeth are appearing.

Many parents think that a child doesn’t have to worry about going to the dentist until his/her baby teeth are nearly gone and the permanent ones are starting to develop. We can say for a fact that this is inadvisable. Putting off your child’s first dentist appointment past the age of two will increase the risk of having their first cavity as well — and getting treated for tooth decay is not the best way to introduce the dentist to a child.

Here are other reasons why you need to schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist early:

• Your child’s first visit will help him/her get familiarized with the dentist’s office, equipment, staff, and procedures. Children who are exposed to this earlier are less likely to develop fear or anxiety over dentist appointments.
• You are given a chance to learn more about oral hygiene for kids and to ask for advice on other dental concerns.
• The dentist can check if your child’s permanent teeth are bound to develop normally and if there are signs of mouth infection or oral problems.

What to Do for the First Visit

The very fact that you are reading this article means that you are now concerned about how your child will handle his/her first trip to the dentist — and this shows that you are responsible enough to search for methods on how to make them feel comfortable.

If your child is two years old or below, there is less need to worry as kids in this stage of infancy are likely too young to feel the fear yet. What you can do is inform the dentist beforehand if your child has certain needs or preference and have someone accompany you during the visit.

You can also make sure that your child doesn’t go to the office tired or hungry to prevent souring their mood during the appointment.

If you need to have a dental concern treated right away, call us now and schedule an appointment here at Northwest Family Dental. Thank you and have a good day!