Oral health impacts overall health, no matter your age. For that reason, introducing your child to the dentist and establishing an at-home dental care routine early in life is essential. At Cedarwood Dentistry, we strive to make sure children are comfortable going to the dentist by getting them used to the equipment we use.
“Show, tell, do” is our methodology for pediatric dentistry. We allow children to explore the tools and equipment hygienists use, letting them get comfortable with common tools like the suction device before we use them in exams or cleanings. We also do “chair rides,” which is when we set them on the dentist chair and move the chair up and down (it’s pretty fun).
Navigating a child’s pediatric dentistry needs can be daunting for parents. However, knowing a few general milestones for pediatric dental care and what to expect at your child’s first dentist appointment can help ease your concerns so that you can best support your child.
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What to Expect At Your Child’s First Dentist Visits
At about one year old, a child typically has between four and eight teeth. At this age, we like to do a “knee-to-knee” with the child.
A knee-to-knee is when the child sits in the dentist’s lap for a dental examination. The dentist will make sure the child doesn’t have a lot of plaque on their teeth and that we don’t see any immediate decay. The majority of the visit is spent talking with the parents about diet and developing proper dental hygiene habits early.
After their initial appointment, we like to see the child every six months. Usually at one-and-a-half or two years old, we can actually clean the child’s teeth. Up until then, parents must maintain good habits at home. These habits include no juice and not sending the child to bed with a bottle filled with anything but water.
Beginning Fluoride Treatments
We typically also begin fluoride treatments at one-and-a-half to two years old. Fluoride helps protect teeth by killing decay-causing bacteria. Fluoride also helps remineralize the teeth if bacteria creates acid that can decay the teeth.
To administer fluoride treatments, the child just needs to be able to open their mouth and allow us to brush on fluoride. After the fluoride treatment, they aren’t allowed to have anything hot to eat or drink, nor are they to eat crunchy foods for the rest of the day.
When We Start Taking Pediatric Dental X-Rays
Two-and-a-half to three years old is the earliest we would start taking x-rays, but we typically wait until the child is four or five years old. Whether or not we take x-rays depends on if the teeth are touching. If there’s space between the child’s teeth, we can determine whether or not there is decay without taking an x-ray.
Choose Cedarwood for Your Pediatric Dentistry Needs
The first few years of dental care for kids focuses on getting the child comfortable with the dentist and developing healthy dental hygiene at home. The team at Cedarwood Dentistry strives to create a positive experience for patients of all ages.
During pediatric dentistry visits, we make sure to keep your child’s plaque levels in check and work with you to maintain healthy oral hygiene habits at home. Laying a solid foundation for dental health begins early in life, so book your child’s dentist appointment today!
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.
*This content was originally published in 2021.