The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child be seen by the dentist between the ages of one year and eighteen months. This is an ideal time for us to carefully examine the development of your childs mouth. Because dental problems may start early, the sooner we see your child, the better. To safeguard against problems such as baby bottle decay, teething irritations, gum disease and prolonged thumb-sucking, we can recommend special preventive care.
Preparing yourself and your child for the first visit is important to create a positive experience for all. Please bring any records of your child’s medical history. Routine dental visits should be scheduled near your child’s third birthday. This will generate excitement about how they will get to go to the dentist as a special treat, like their birthday. The first visit is a fun adventure where the child rides in the chair and has his/her teeth counted and polished. Here are some helpful pointers to make your child’s first experience a positive one:
DO schedule your child’s appointment early in the day when your child is fresh and alert.
DO make dental visits a fun adventure for your child.
DO be prepared to let your child go into the treatment room alone.
DO remember that your POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND EXAMPLE in all dental health matters will be the most important factor in how your child will respond to this experience.
DON’T BRIBE YOUR CHILD to go to the dentist or threaten a visit as punishment. This could result in lifelong negative attitudes.
DON’T let your child be aware of any anxiety you may feel about his or her dental visit or your own visits.