Dental associations recommend that you have your first dental visit the moment teeth start to erupt. However, not everyone makes it that early and that’s okay. The important thing is you make it your dentist when you can and become accustomed to regular dental visits.
Dentists always want to make their patients comfortable, especially if it’s their first time visiting. That’s why your family dentist in McKinney is writing about it. Soon, you’ll have all the expectations and steps needed to walk into your local dentist office with confidence.
How to Plan for Your First Visit
Just like at any age, make sure your child has a clean mouth before taking them to their first appointment. This is will make it easier for the dentist to exam their mouth for any abnormalities. As you’re cleaning, let them know exactly what it is you’ll be doing at the dentist office.
The key to making future dental visits easier is by establishing a bond of trust early on. Tell your child that they’ll be making a new friend that wants to make sure their teeth are healthy for the rest of their life. Giving your child expectations will remove any doubt that something bad is going to happen. Once you’ve had this talk, schedule your appointment. Aim for a morning time to avoid any anxiousness that may occur in the afternoon. Once you arrive, you’ll soon realize that you’re in good hands.
What Will Happen During Your Visit
After walking through the door, a member of the dental team will offer a friendly greeting. From there, you’ll be escorted to a treatment room. For very young patients, the appointment will likely be very short and entail a thorough examination of your child’s existing baby teeth. Then they’ll start discussing proper home techniques, such as brushing, flossing, and when to use fluoride.
Additionally, your dentist will educate you and your child on the developmental issues they may face. They may offer dental sealants in the future as children are considered to be the most vulnerable to getting cavities. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions of your own.
Topics You’ll Discuss and Oral Hygiene
The first appointment is meant to educate you just as much your child on numerous oral health topics. This includes but is not limited to:
- Preventing cavities
- Determining fluoride needs
- Addressing oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, which can negatively affect tooth development)
- Developmental milestones, such as the when the first baby tooth falls out or when their first permanent tooth erupts
- The teething process
You’ll also learn the best at-home care to keep your child’s mouth healthy. You’ll learn how that technique will change depending on what teeth your child currently has. Overall, the experience should be fun and informative for both of you, so get your child excited to take care of themselves. That way, they choose to keep that value with them for the rest of their lives.
Don’t hesitate to experience your family milestones. Schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist in McKinney today!
About the Author
Dr. Rana Lee is certified to perform many different dental treatments for her patients. She is a certified CEREC/CADCAM dentist and a certified Osteo Ready Implant Provider. After earning her B.S. from the University of Texas at Arlington and her D.D.S. from the Baylor College of Dentistry, she continued to attend many education courses on advancements in general dentistry. To learn more about her practice, contact her at (214) 446-5477 or visit her website.