About 36% of the population struggles with dental anxiety. Helping your child get comfortable with the dentist at a young age could make all the difference. Not many parents know when to take a child for their first dentist appointment, though.
Do you know when to schedule your baby’s first dentist appointment with their Thousand Oaks, CA dentist? Keep reading for the answer! Reading this guide can also help you prepare for your child’s first check-up.
Knowing what to expect can help you keep them at ease. Otherwise, their anxiety could get the better of them.
Your Thousand Oaks, CA dentist might struggle to provide your child with the care they need as a result.
Read on to learn more about your baby’s first dentist appointment with their pediatric dentist today!
When to Schedule Their First Appointment
First, let’s answer the question that likely brought you here. When should you schedule a child’s first dentist appointment?
You should take your child in for their first appointment within six months of their first tooth erupting. At the latest, you should take them in by their first birthday.
In some cases, however, you’ll need to take your child to a kid-friendly dentist earlier. For example, you might notice bleeding, lesions, or white spots on their gums. If these problems sound familiar, schedule your baby’s first dentist appointment right away.
Choosing a Dentist
Before your kid’s first dentist appointment, take the time to consider their dentist. It’s important to find a Thousand Oaks, CA dentist you can trust. The right dentist will help put your child at ease.
First, learn as much as you can about the dentist’s professional career. Determine where they went to school and when they graduated. Make sure their education is specific to pediatrics.
Choose a dentist who understands both child psychology and development. These dentists will understand your child’s distinct needs. They’ll also know how to make your child more comfortable during an appointment.
Determine how long the kid-friendly dentist has specialized in pediatric dentistry as well.
A dentist with the right speciality will have the experience and expertise your child needs. Their years of experience will give you peace of mind, too. The dentist will leverage their first-hand experience to meet the highest standards of care.
Don’t forget to check out the pediatric dentistry office as well. Make sure the environment is kid-friendly. A kid-friendly environment can help your child feel more comfortable before their appointment.
Finally, make sure to read reviews from other parents in Thousand Oaks, CA. Their reviews will give you a firsthand account of each dentist. You can learn more from parents who were once in your position.
You can find a pediatric dentist who has a strong professional reputation among parents in the area.
Benefits of Early Visits
It’s also important to understand the benefits of scheduling your baby’s first dentist appointment while they’re young.
For starters, you can get your child accustomed to going to the dentist at an early age. Beginning while they’re young can help them feel more comfortable. When they’re comfortable, they won’t struggle or fight during an exam.
Otherwise, your child might not receive the care they need if they’re upset during an appointment.
It can help to know that the dentist won’t do a lot of prodding during your child’s first few visits. Your child can focus more on getting to know the staff. They can familiarize themselves with the environment of a dentist’s office, too.
You can make these first few appointments fun for your child. They might even get excited about their next few appointments as a result.
Scheduling your child’s first few appointments is an educational opportunity for parents, too.
For example, you can learn how to properly clean your child’s gums and teeth. You can determine the best techniques for them to brush and floss, too. Otherwise, you can talk to the pediatric dentist about preventing tooth decay.
Think about your child’s habits as well. For example, you might want to ask the dentist about pacifier or finger-sucking habits.
Scheduling your baby’s first few appointments can benefit both you and your child.
What to Expect
Remember, it can help to know what to expect during your child’s first few appointments as well. That way, both you and your child can prepare beforehand.
Your child’s initial appointment will likely feel short. It probably won’t require much treatment. Instead, the first few appointments will help your dentist assess their oral health.
The dentist can pinpoint potential problem areas and provide preventative tips, too.
If your child is old enough, they can sit in the dentist’s chair alone. Otherwise, parents can hold the child in their lap during the appointment. Then, the dentist can examine the child’s mouth.
During these visual exams, the dentist will look for signs of tooth decay.
If your baby doesn’t have teeth yet, the pediatric dentist will look at their gums instead. They’ll check to determine if teeth are about to erupt.
They can also pinpoint potential jaw or gum problems.
The dentist won’t schedule a full dental cleaning until your child is older. They’ll wait until your child is comfortable around more intrusive equipment, too.
Talk to your pediatric dentist about when to schedule your child’s first dental X-ray. They might require X-rays when they’re between 5 and 6 years old.
Scheduling X-rays while they’re young will also help the dentist spot potential dental problems early on. Around age 6, X-rays can help the dentist assess the development of adult teeth.
Make a list of questions you want to ask the dentist during these appointments. For example, you might want to discuss your child’s oral health. Consider treatments like fluoride and sealants, too.
Healthy Teeth: How to Prep for Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment
Prioritizing your child’s oral health can benefit them for years to come. Use these tips before your child’s first dentist appointment. You can schedule a consultation appointment to discuss your child’s oral health needs, too.
Eager to meet your Thousand Oaks, CA pediatric dentist? We can’t wait to see you and your child.
Contact our team today to schedule your child’s next appointment.