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.
