The Dentist: Things Every Parent Should Know

If you are a parent, there are things you should know about taking your child to the dentist, as well as the proper care of your child’s teeth. It’s easy for oral care to slip through the cracks, so to speak. Certainly, there are many important things to remember when it comes to a child’s health. But even when you’re dealing with teeth that will fall out in a few years anyway, the importance of vigilant oral care cannot be overstated. Too often, parents treat it as an afterthought and this can be a big mistake. Here are some things every parent should know.

When should you visit the dentist for the first time? Most experts agree that you should take your child in when once they are a year old. For a long time, three years old was the standard, but this has changed since a great deal of cavity formation was discovered in new patients. Obviously, cavities are something to avoid at any age, for many reasons. There are other good reasons to bring your child in early, however. Visiting from the age 1 will help your child quickly become acclimated to the visits, reducing the chance of anxieties forming later in life.

Before you bring your child into the dentist for the first time, it may help to run some exercises that will help familiarize them with what they are going to experience. There are several good children’s books about dental care and dental appointments. Read these to your child, as it can help them get excited about the trip, rather than apprehensive. It might also be worth it to bring your child into the office before the actual appointment so they can get a sense of the surroundings.

Of course, all of the preparation in the world won’t help if you are projecting your own fears. More than a few adults harbor such fears, and these can come out without even realizing it. You need to be vigilant and aware so that you don’t accidentally contribute to additional fears in your child. If they begin to fear going before they’ve had their first appointment, it could have ramifications that stretch well into childhood and beyond. As you’re probably aware, a lot of a child’s development occurs in those early months and years. Make sure they don’t get the wrong ideas.

It should go without saying, but you’ll want to find a dentist who specializes in kids and works well with them. Not every pediatric dentist is the same, after all. Many will treat adults, teens, and children. This is fine, but the important thing is that they have a way with children and know how to handle them when they get in the chair. If you aren’t satisfied with the appointment, don’t hesitate to find someone else.