Many parents are nervous when taking their child for their first dental visit. But you can relax because we are accustomed to seeing children early and want this to be pleasant for you and your child. By taking this step as early as possible, you have helped make it possible for them to have a life of excellent oral health. Call our office today for your child’s first dental appointment, and we can help you both have a fun and relaxing experience. And if you need help finding a children’s dentist we have offices in North Charleston, West Ashley, Summerville, Mount Pleasant, James Island, and Hanahan, SC.
To find out if your child is old enough to get a check-up, or to find out if we’re a good fit for your child schedule an appointment with Trident General Dentistry.
Why Take Your Child to the Dentist?
Oral health is important at all times in life. There are many reasons that children need to see a dentist and having regular dental checkups. These reasons include:
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Prevention of tooth decay. Children are especially prone to tooth decay. Forty-two percent of children between two and eleven have had a dental cavity. Taking your child to the dentist at an early age is the first step in preventing tooth decay.
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Monitoring development. Every child’s teeth and jaw develop differently, and early monitoring can help detect and treat any abnormalities or potential problems.
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Parent education. When you take your child to the dentist, you learn how to care for their teeth. This includes discovering the best brushing and flossing techniques and how nutrition plays a significant role in your child’s dental health.
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Your child becomes familiar with going to the dentist. This is a significant benefit that will help your child throughout their entire lifetime. Taking your child to the dentist at a young age helps them feel more comfortable and confident when going to the dentist as they grow older.
Are Baby Teeth Important?
Baby teeth, or primary teeth, are crucial to your child’s development for several reasons, including:
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They help your child chew their food adequately.
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They give your child the confidence to smile.
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They enable your child to learn to pronounce words correctly.
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They hold the space necessary to guide adult teeth into their proper position as they erupt.
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Healthy baby teeth help protect and ensure the health of developing permanent teeth.
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They support the facial muscles that help shape your child’s face.
When Should Your Child Have Their First Dental Visit?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that parents take their child for their first dental visit after the first tooth comes in and no later than their first birthday. This is the “well-baby dental checkup” and includes teaching parents how to clean their child’s teeth and what to do about oral habits such as thumb sucking.
What to Expect
What takes place at the first visit will depend on the age of your child. If your child has several teeth, we may examine their teeth and gums and check for any problems with their bite. If needed, we might also gently clean and polish their teeth during this visit.
Does My Child Need Dental X-Rays?
Your child may need few, if any, dental x-rays as long as they have their baby teeth. It depends primarily on whether they are at risk of tooth decay. The vulnerable areas are those between the back teeth that are not visible during the dental examination. Your dentist will discuss why and when your child could benefit from x-rays and the safety of modern digital dental radiography.
Schedule an Appointment
If your child needs their first dental appointment, our experienced staff can make this an easy and fun experience. Simply reach out and schedule an appointment with us and we can go from there.