Taking your child to their first dentist appointment is an essential step in introducing them to good oral care. While the experience may seem intimidating, you can ease the anticipation by learning more about what to expect from the appointment.

When Should I Start Taking My Child to the Dentist? 

Parents should start bringing their children for dental visits when their first tooth erupts. If teeth don’t appear by the time the baby turns 1, however, they should come in for their first appointment.

Early appointments establish good oral hygiene habits. Your child will be much more likely to take proper care of their teeth if they start when they’re young. Taking your child to regular dental appointments as they grow also allows a dentist to catch problems like toothaches and cavities early.

What Will Happen at the First Appointment?

Most first appointments last about 30 to 45 minutes. Typically, the dentist will begin by examining your child’s teeth, tongue, gum, and jaw to evaluate their overall development. If your child does have erupted teeth, the provider may perform a gentle cleaning to remove any plaque or tartar buildup. X-rays are generally not necessary at this point unless there is already extensive decay.

After the exam, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with the provider about any questions or concerns you may have. At this stage, most parents are interested in learning about oral health issues that tend to arise in babies and toddlers, such as thumb-sucking habits, milk bottle tooth decay, and pacifier sucking. You can also ask the dentist to demonstrate how to properly brush and floss your child’s baby teeth. 

If it’s time for your child’s first dental appointment, visit Family First Dentistry in Anchorage, AK. The office provides a warm and comfortable environment full of compassionate staff who will explain everything the visit will entail. In addition to pediatric dental services, they handle general and cosmetic dentistry, including teeth cleaning, braces, wisdom teeth removal, teeth whitening, and dental crowns. Visit their website to learn more about their offerings, or call (907) 562-2820 to set up an appointment today.