Dental Cleaning: Easing a Child Into Routine Appointments

The first few times that a child visits the dentist will really just be to get acquainted with the idea. The dentist will perform as much of a routine check-up as possible depending on the patient’s level of cooperation. Some kids will open wide on command while others will have their teeth examined in snap shots as they talk, scream, or cry. The doctor will examine the child’s teeth as thoroughly as the patient will allow. There is no need to force a check-up; an uncomfortable and forceful experience will only add to the patient’s anxiety level.

The purpose of these appointments may seem pointless if no exam is going to be completed, but think of your baby’s first several visits as one comprehensive visit. The first time may just be for paper work and a look around the office, while the next time your little guy may make it to the exam chair for a pretend spaceship ride. It is best to let the child determine how far each appointment will go; a calm professional will be able to take a few looks inside the mouth without the patient’s knowledge thus being able to see if any cavities are prevalent and, unless there are any pressing emergencies or dire medical needs, it is best to continue to let the child ease into the full fledged cleaning in small increments. Ultimately, a child’s early experiences will dictate his lifelong oral health, so holding him down while a stranger pokes sharp tools at his tiny teeth could cause enough anxiety that as an adult, will still define their idea of the dentist.

Know that eventually, your little one will come to embrace the dentist without fear or anxiety, and by the fourth or fifth visit, things will begin to go rather routinely. While it is of course important to have all the regular things done at an appointment like x-rays, cleaning, and examinations, probably the most important thing that will go on in a youngster’s appointments is learning proper oral hygiene techniques. Learning how and particularly how long to brush, how to take care of the gums, and the importance of flossing cannot be reiterated too frequently. This is an important age for oral hygiene as the things that a patient learns now are going to stick with him. As he begins to shed baby teeth and the adult teeth emerge, he will be accustomed to regular dental cleanings, and he will be skilled in proper brushing and flossing.

Twice yearly dental cleaning and check-ups are an important part of life long health care, and beginning to ease a child into the process while he is young and eager to learn is the best way to promote proper mouth care for life.