When Should You Take Your Child to the Dentist for the First Time?
Dental health is sometimes considered a trifle for many parents. In fact, untreated teeth can lead to more serious infections, not just cavities and bad breath. For that, dental health must be maintained from an early age. Children should get used to caring for their teeth. Bringing children to the dentist is an effort to protect children’s dental health and at the same time introducing children to pediatric dentists. When is the right time?
When should you take your child to the dentist?
The first time you bring your child to the dentist should be done as early as possible or six months after a new child’s first teeth appear. No later than during the child’s first to second birthdays. After that, start to routinely bring the child to control their teeth once every six months.
At the child’s first visit, the dentist will check the growth and development of the child’s teeth (including the jaw and palate). In addition, dentists will also tell parents about how to care for children’s teeth. After the first visit, it is best to schedule another visit every six months.
When the child is between 4-6 years of age, ask the pediatric dentist to X-ray the child’s teeth to check for cavities, as suggested by WebMD. At this age, children generally enjoy eating sweet foods, such as candy, chocolate, cakes, and others. Well, if the child’s teeth are not cleaned diligently, then the child is prone to experiencing cavities.
Furthermore, at the age of 6-12 years is also the period when the child must be brought to a pediatric dentist. This is because at that age many baby teeth are lost and replaced by permanent teeth. Routine to the dentist and take care of teeth at this time helps to grow teeth regularly and prevent dental problems in children.
What should be prepared before going to a pediatric dentist?
Many children are afraid of dentists. This may be because the child is not accustomed to going to the dentist or because the child is shocked by all the procedures or dental equipment they take when they first visit the dentist. Therefore, it is important to introduce the child to the dentist as early as possible. So, what should be prepared?
- Choose the right pediatric dentist, so that the child is comfortable, not afraid. Perhaps it can be seen from the child-friendly practice.
- Prepare a list of the child’s health conditions (such as what illnesses the child is experiencing) and what medicines are consumed by the child. So, if the dentist asks about this, you are ready with the answer.
- Tell the dentist if your child has any habits, such as thumb sucking, pacifiers or pacifiers. Because, this can affect the teeth and jaw of children. It is better not to get children to sleep while drinking bottle milk because it can cause tooth decay.
- Tell your child that he is going to visit the dentist to have his teeth checked. Tell them what will happen at the dentist, so that the child has an idea and is not surprised when he meets the dentist. Explain to children slowly, maybe you need help from a story book to explain it.
Don’t forget to always teach your children to brush their teeth twice a day
Introduce your child to a toothbrush as early as possible, even before you take your child to the dentist. Getting children to brush their teeth is able to maintain the health of their teeth and mouth. So, later you don’t have to worry about cavities in your child’s teeth when he often eats sweet foods.
Remember, children are very good at imitating. So, before telling your child that he should be diligent in brushing his teeth, you should give an example of how to brush his teeth and how many times you should brush his teeth a day. By looking at you, the habit of taking good care of your teeth will be easier for children to implement.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.