Your Baby’s First Dental Appointment

New parents have plenty of adjustments to make when it comes to caring for your new addition to the family. Making sure your baby is healthy and happy becomes top priority while still adjusting to parenthood, hectic schedules and sleep deprivation. Westchase Premier Dental would like to encourage new parents to make your baby’s first dental appointment be early in life.

Your child’s first dental checkup should be by the age of one even though your baby may only have a few visible baby teeth. Early childhood dental visits are important in the detection of any developing dental issues. Unfortunately, some children develop tooth decay at a very young age. Your dentist will review proper care for your child’s teeth and discuss your child’s developmental milestones. Introducing healthy habits early will also make future visits to the dentist far more pleasurable.

Preparing for Your Baby’s First Dental Appointment

The first visit is generally talking to you and your child, taking a look in his or her mouth, and making oral health assessments. It is a good idea to tell them they are going to the dentist expressed with excitement. If you have dental anxiety yourself, try not to show it. This could be a learned habit that your child may pick up from you. Bringing along a comforting toy can be helpful just in case there is any fussiness. If you have other children, try to leave them at home or bring along another adult to care for them during the visit. All the attention can then be directed to the your baby’s first dental visit with complete focus is on your baby’s oral health.

The Dental Checkup Experience

You and your baby will be seated comfortably in the dental office. There will be a pleasant introduction to the dentist and a gentle examination will be performed. The examination will uncover any early signs of dental problems and assess the risk of your child developing disease in the future. Many times, this kind of risk assessment can help prevent and even reverse early stages of tooth decay. Also during the visit, you will learn various ways to keep your child’s oral health in top condition. This also may include lifestyle contributions to good oral health such as healthy eating habits and proper oral hygiene practices to use at home. Tips on brushing effectively will be reviewed and a follow-up visit will be scheduled needed.

Developing healthy habits begin early in life. Don’t hesitate to make your baby’s first dental appointment. Give Westchase Premier Dental a call at (813) 475 – 4528.

Our friendly staff is ready to help.

Further Reading on Your Baby’s First Dental Appointment