A child’s first dental visit can be both exciting and intimidating. At Naperville Commons Dental we strive to successfully monitor your kid’s dental health progress while maintaining a comforting and welcoming experience.
When Should Your Child First Visit the Dentist?
Our kid’s dentist in Naperville recommends every child should visit the dentist before they turn one year or within six months after their first tooth appears. Baby teeth normally pop up within the first six months of age.
What Happens During the First Visit?
Since your child will probably have few teeth, their first visit to a kid’s dentist in Naperville will be fairly short and introductory. That being said, the visit will include a full exam of the teeth, jaw, bite, gums and oral tissues. If needed the hygienist will also initiate a gentle cleaning. The session will involve little treatment but gives your child a chance to meet the dentists and hygienists that will be working on their teeth throughout their childhood.
The first visit is helpful for the parents as well, giving them a chance to discuss important topics with the dentist. These topics could include proper nutrition, teething, baby bottle tooth decay, infant feeding practices and oral habits such as pacifiers, thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. Your dentist will also encourage you to schedule your child’s next appointment. We recommend your child visits us every 6 months in order to gain confidence at the dentist and to promptly treat any developing problems.
Preparing Your Child
It’s common for children to develop dental anxiety over time, but you can help make your child’s appointments enjoyable even before they begin. Try to schedule the first appointment in the morning after breakfast to ensure your child is energetic, well-rested and not hungry. Use positive language when talking about the dentist and make it a point to practice dental hygiene at home. You should always be helping your toddler brush their teeth with a soft-bristle, kid-sized toothbrush in the morning and before bed. Use no more than a pea-size amount of toothpaste containing fluoride. Lastly, be aware of your child’s thumb-sucking habit. You should help your child break the habit before the age of 3 to eliminate the risk of potential teeth misalignment.
Contact Us
You can trust our kid’s dentist in Naperville to always be a comforting environment for your children. Book your child’s first appointment today by visiting Naperville Commons Dental online or calling 630.355.2935.
