Your baby’s life is series of firsts. First words, first giggles, and even their first tooth. But what about their first trip to the dentist? Often, parents aren’t sure when to bring their little one in for their debut exam and cleaning, or why they need to be seen so early if they don’t have a complete smile. Here’s a closer look at how you can tell if the time is right for your child’s first dental visit, and what you can expect to happen when they arrive!
Major Milestones: Introducing Your Baby to Oral Health
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends bringing your child to the dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts, or at about age one if this still hasn’t occurred. Your child’s debut visit will be much less involved than your own dental checkups are and are mainly designed to help examine the growth of their teeth and help make them comfortable with the dentist and with caring for their teeth and gums at home.
In most cases, your child’s first visit should only take around 45 minutes. During this appointment they’ll meet their dentist, have their teeth (or lack thereof!) examined, and any visible pearly whites will be professionally polished. Then, if everything looks good, they’ll be scheduled to return in six months.
A Lifetime of Smiles: How to Care for Baby’s Teeth at Home
Even if your little one is still completely toothless, it is important to begin caring for their smile at home as early as possible. Brush their teeth and gums daily with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush and infants’ toothpaste. If they have multiple consecutive teeth, you should floss those daily as well. While it may seem unimportant at this stage, not only will this protect any teeth that have already emerged, but it will encourage your tot to feel comfortable with oral hygiene practices and make brushing and flossing a lot easier as they grow.
Remember, although it may feel premature to bring a baby with little or no teeth to the dentist, the truth is that these visits not only help keep close tabs on their oral development, but it should make it much more pleasant for them to maintain their smile as they mature.
About Our Practice
At Grateful Dentists, Dr. Danzig and Dr. Snook believe caring for your child’s beautiful smile begins at birth. Whether your baby has never been to the dentist, or if you’d simply like to find a kind, caring team to treat your family’s smiles as they grow, we’re pleased to offer comprehensive oral health care from ages 1 to 1000! If it’s time to schedule your baby’s big dental debut, visit our website or call us today at 978-667-5807.