Babies should first see the dentist at about six months of age, or at the emergence of their first tooth, and then twice yearly for preventive hygiene cleanings. Today, our Kenora dentists explain what you can expect at your child's first cleaning appointment.
Despite the fact that your child will begin to visit the dentist on a regular basis around the age of one, their first full dental cleaning will most likely take place a little later, once the bulk of their baby teeth have come in.
For this reason, the initial cleaning is typically performed during the toddler years, when a child is between 12 and 36 months old. It is at this point that plaque and tartar will begin to build up and require professional cleaning to remove it and prevent serious oral health issues from developing in your child's mouth.
Preparing Your Child for Their First Dental Cleaning
It's important to spend some time talking with your child about what will take place before the first cleaning visit happens. You should teach your child about the significance of keeping their teeth healthy and explain what the dentist will do in a language that they will understand.
Try to keep things basic so as to not overwhelm your child. Most of the time, we recommend that parents say something along the lines of:
"The dentist is going to look at your teeth, count them, and make sure they are healthy and strong. The dentist’s name is Doctor _____. They are really nice!"
If dentist appointments are a source of worry for you, try not to express your feelings to your kid during the session. When it comes to responding to new experiences, they look to you for direction. If you appear to be concerned, they will be as well.
During the Appointment
We encourage you to speak with us in advance and tell us a little about your child's personality. Do they have a tendency to be afraid or rebellious when confronted with unknown situations? ?The more information we have, the more we will be able to cater to your child's individual requirements and ensure that they receive the care that they require.
At the beginning of the session, we will inspect your child's teeth, jaws, gums, and bite to ensure that they are in good health. In addition, we will use specialized devices to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, exactly like we do with adult patients.
We will present recommendations for correct brushing and flossing techniques. Whether your child brushes and flosses their own teeth or you still do it for them, it never hurts to get a refresher course on the subject.
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have concerning your child's oral health or any impending dental treatments during the visit.
Following the completion of the exam and cleaning, we will schedule any required follow-up visits. Also, if you like, we may schedule the next cleaning and checkup session sooner if necessary.