One of the most common questions that new parents ask is when their child should have their first dental appointment. The simple answer to this question is that every child needs to visit the dentist by their first birthday. While this may surprising to some parents, recent studies have shown that more and more preschool children are developing cavities, but with early dental care, these can be prevented.
While preventing childhood cavities is one of the benefits offered by early dental care, it is not the only one. These dental visits will help parents learn how to manage their child’s diet, their oral hygiene and the importance of fluoride for their child for preventing issues.
Once the first visit is completed, the Pediatric Dentist in Jacksonville that is used will likely create a schedule of future visits. Previously, dentists wanted to see patients every six months; however, now, most dentists will base the visits on the patient’s particular needs and risks for problems.
Choosing a Dentist for Your Child
When it comes to taking your infant, or even toddler, to the dentist, you want to find someone who is comfortable working with kids, which will help easy your child’s anxiety about the visit. As a result, you need to take some steps to ensure you find the right dentist. This can be done by doing the following:
• Call the dentist and ask when they recommend that a child comes in for their first visit.
• Find a dentist that states they specialize in treating young children.
If you are still unsure, you can ask your family dentist, or even pediatrician for a recommendation. This will help you find a number of options to consider in regard to your child’s oral health.
Preparing Your Child for the Visit
The primary purpose of a dental visit at the age of one is to learn about oral care for your child and what you need to do to protect their teeth and ensure that no issues are present. In many cases, the dentist will request an initial appointment for them to meet your child, so that everyone is comfortable with the situation.
When you take time to carefully consider all of the things here, you will see why early dental care is so important and learn what you should look for when searching for a pediatric dentist for your child.
