Your Childs First Dental Appointment at Absolute Dental

With my little one just turned 2, her first dental visit is fast approaching so here is some information for those of you in the same boat! 

I am sure your toddler has many teeth by now and it's now time to start thinking about keeping their adorable smile healthy. Baby teeth don’t hang around for long (they generally start to fall out to make way for adult teeth by the time your child is six or seven), but it’s still important to keep those tiny teeth (and gums) in tip-top condition.

The first step to your child's healthy mouth is to teach them to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and before bed). 

Next, book their first dentist appointment — if you haven’t already.

But before you assume that getting your toddler into the dentist’s chair will involve either a tantrum or bribery, remember that your child has no fear of the dentist chair and it is up to you not to put any negative thoughts in their head! Most toddlers are fascinated as the chair "magically" goes up and down by itself!

Here’s what you need to know about your child's first dentist appointment:

When to go. We recommend that you take your child to their first dental appointment around their second birthday, at a time when they are able to understand a bit more about what is happening and follow instructions.

What will happen. Expect the first dentist appointment to be short and informal — more of a meet and greet for your child and the dentist. Depending on your child’s age and comfort level, you may be asked to hold him while the dentist looks around their mouth and "counts" their teeth. Or you may be asked to just be in the room as support and reassurance.

As for the business of inspecting your child's teeth, the dentist will check for and take a look at your child’s teeth, gums and how the teeth come together. The dentist will talk to you about good oral-hygiene habits, thumb sucking, tooth-friendly foods, and anything else that effects your toddler’s oral health. 

How often to visit. Based on how your toddler’s teeth look, your dentist will let you know when to make the next visit. We usually recommend that toddlers see the dentist about every six months — as long as there are no major problems. So don’t forget to schedule your child’s second appointment on your way out the out the door!

If you need to book your little ones first dental appointment then please give us a call on 01548 85216.