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What to Expect From Your Child's First Dental Appointment

How the tables have turned. There was a time when you were a child being taken to the dentist by your parents … now you're the parent bringing your child to the childrens dentist. This is the first time and you're not sure what to expect. Relax … we're here to help both you and your kid have a great initial appointment.

It's important that you do this, since the AAPD strongly recommends that you take your child to see a childrens dentist every six months and that they have their teeth and gums examined each time and also get a thorough cleaning. X-rays can be a little less frequent though. So now you have your child in the office? What will happen?

You'll Meet With The Dentist

Since this is the first time, you will likely go to the dentist's own office or in a conference room. They'll probably explain their experience and philosophies as a childrens dentist. Then they'll take your child to the exam room and have them sit in the chair.

Their demeanor should be calm and gentle, since this will be your child's first time having a dentist poke and prod around their mouth. Now comes the exam.

The Exam

The dentist will examine all areas of your child's mouth - the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks and however many teeth have shown. They'll then talk to you about teething and your making sure that their mouth is clean when they go to sleep, since bacteria can grow and cause dental issues that can affect them later on in their childhood and teen years.

Preparing

It's important that your child is in the right frame of mind when you take them to the dentist. Explain to them what's going to happen. You can even role play and show them what it'll be like. Show how easy it'll be. Bring things to keep them distracted - a couple of their toys, for example. If they have an age-appropriate app that they use on your phone, you can have them use that. That should make things go very smoothly. Cheer them on the whole visit.

After the first appointment, if you like the dentist, then you can make the next one. Then your child will be on the road to good oral health.

Posted April 9, 2023