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When should your child first visit the dentist?

May 23, 2021
Our skilled Torrence dentists recommend taking your child to their first dentist appointment sooner than later.

When should your child first visit the dentist?

Our skilled Torrence dentists recommend taking your child to their first dentist appointment sooner than later.

Babies can begin growing in their teeth as early as five months old. Most parents don’t take their child to a pediatric dentist until they are at least two years old. Oral hygiene is a vital part of your child’s health. Avoiding tooth decay comes from being proactive and observant when your child is still an infant. 

  • The First Dentist Appointment 

A child’s first dentist appointment can be a great experience. The first appointment is key to preventing fear of dentist visits. You can schedule your child’s appointment as early as five months old. It benefits both the child’s health and what could be future financial endeavors. 

Taking care of primary teeth in a child’s early years can prevent the need for braces or retainers in the future. It also allows insight for oral anomalies that are better prevented when caught in early stages, such as, Hyperdontia – a condition that causes too many teeth to grow. 

The first appointment to the pediatric dentist can be a preliminary checkup to study the condition of your child’s teeth and how to ensure they continue to properly grow in. 

You can also ensure that your child does not have brown spots or the risk of cavities. Over time, they will fall into the habit of keeping up with their teeth through healthy eating and other habits.

  • First Appointment Preparation

The most important step is choosing a dentist that you trust and openly displays a history of good conduct with children. When the dentist has been chosen and it’s time to wait in the lobby, keep the child entertained so that laughter and memories will be subconsciously attached to the thought of the Dentist. 

Communicate with them. Although babies do not speak full words, they are sponges and remember more than people give them credit for. Explain the area and tools to them in a way that engages them and makes the experience that much more fun. It is important not to scare a child on their first dentist visit, so choose your words and actions wisely, and remember to smile. 

When a relationship with the office space and the doctor has been built, future visits will be easier and moments of anticipation. 

  • About Select Dental Office:

Select Dental Office is a Torrance dentist practice. We have been providing our patients with dental care and tips to ensure their dental health is up to par. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more dental tips and tricks.