Children’s teeth and gums grow rapidly during their first few years so it’s important to have regular appointments during this time to set good oral health foundations. Among cases of adults who fear the dentist, many are due to previous negative experiences. By seeking out a good clinician who will be calm and patient with your child, you can help ensure going to the dentist is a positive experience for your child and this will help prepare them to keep going regularly later in their life. By finding a clinician your children gets on well with and who compliments them on their oral health, they will be more likely to take up good habits like flossing to get positive feedback. You could also reward your child with stickers or a fun outing after their appointment to help cement their positive feelings. Most dental professionals agree you should take your child for an appointment when their first tooth comes through, usually when they’re around six months old, and then every six months after that for check-ups.
Tips to Prepare Your Children for Their Appointment
Dentists are used to helping children get used to their appointments so will be happy to show you and your child around beforehand. This can help to familiarise your child with the environment so it’s not all new when they come in for their appointment. Children’s dentists will often have a separate waiting room with bright wall displays so your children will enjoy going there. If you know your child struggles to sit still, you could ask your dentist for a longer appointment to allow for breaks. If your child is old enough to understand, you should explain why visits to the dentist are important before you go. You could also talk about positive experiences you’ve had at the dentist to help ease any nerves they may have. A good tip for younger children is to incorporate a trip to the dentist into their playtime and get them to open wide while you check their mouth. On the day of the appointment, you could take a favourite toy along to give your child some familiarity and distraction.
Your dentist may adjust the appointment depending on what they find but they will start by checking your child’s mouth, which is why it might be a good idea to practice opening wide. The dentist will likely then take x-rays to see what’s going on between their teeth, especially if your child doesn’t have all their teeth through yet. If cleaning is required, then this will likely be done in the same appointment. If your child needs treatments such as fillings these are likely to be done on a different day and the dentist can help you talk through what to expect.
Issues to Look out for at Home
After the appointment, it’s key to keep a good hygiene routine, brushing thoroughly twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing regularly. There may be additional advice from your dentist, especially if your child has had a treatment. It is a good habit to check your children’s teeth when you assist them with brushing, looking out for things such as swollen gums, discoloration on the teeth, bad breath or pain when chewing. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, you should get them to the dentist urgently before their next check-up.
Read about our children’s dentistry services at Goldfields Family Dental here.