As a parent, tracking the health and development of your child is an exciting and crucial undertaking. With this in mind, it’s important to prioritize dental care to ensure your child establishes healthy habits from the very beginning. If you’re wondering when to engage a pediatric dentist, here’s some helpful insight. 

Understanding Professional Dental Care for Children

When Should a Child See the Dentist for the First Time?

Dental care professionals encourage parents to schedule a child’s first appointment around their first birthday or after a tooth has grown in. This initial visit with a pediatric dentist is important for both parents and the child as it familiarizes the family unit with the process of oral checkups and starts tracking tooth and jaw development. Better still, dentists provide helpful information in terms of dental care routines, when to eliminate sippy cups, and how to prevent cavities in the future.

What Can You Expect From the First Pediatric Dentist Appointment?

Your child’s first trip to the dentist will be an introduction to the clinic and the teeth cleaning process. As such, the appointment will be short and focused on familiarizing both parent and child with the dental team, sitting in the dental chair, and the various tools dentistry professionals utilize. Your dentist will check any existing teeth for decay and will also check on their overall bite. If there are any issues or early signs of decay or bite problems, your dentist will discuss an action plan. In addition, a pediatric dentist will share brushing techniques and what foods or beverages, such as sugary juices and candy, your child should avoid. 

Carolyn B. Crowell, DMD, & Associates is known throughout Avon Lake, Amherst, Westlake, and Bay Village, OH, for providing friendly, professional dental care to little ones. If you’re a parent looking for a knowledgeable pediatric dentist who prioritizes education, preventative care, and tracking the development of every patient, call today at (440) 934-0149 to schedule an appointment. For more information on the comprehensive services this trusted dental clinic provides, from routine teeth cleaning to sedation dentistry, visit their website.