When Should I Take My Child to the Dentist?
By Elyse Brumfield, RDH
Supervised and Edited by Dr. Levy Do
February is Kid’s Dental Health Awareness month and at Pine Cove Dental, we think it’s always important to raise awareness about how to help keep your kid’s mouth healthy. That’s why we’ve compiled a list with the answers to the most common questions from parents like you about their kids’ oral health.
When should I start taking my child to the dentist?
It is recommended that you take your child to the dentist by the time their first tooth erupts or by age one, whichever comes first. Why is this important?
We want to get them introduced to visiting the dentist at a young age. This makes them feel more comfortable and less anxious when they have to come back for future visits. They will meet the staff which gains trust and learn about the instruments we use so that they don’t look “scary” later.
We also want to be able to look for any signs of early decay or oral health issues so that they can be addressed and prevented. Certain systemic conditions, such as leukaemia or early childhood sleep apnea, can sometimes manifest as oral conditions and if detected early can make all the difference in your child’s development and health.
Why should I take my child to the dentist? Don’t their baby teeth just fall out?
This is a great question! Yes, it is true that your child’s primary teeth will eventually fall out, but not right away. Their first teeth won’t start falling out until around 6 years old and the last teeth to fall out are usually the molar teeth in the back at around 10-11 years old! That is a long time to need those teeth.
If your child shows any signs of tooth pain, it is a good idea to bring them in to get it looked at. Losing teeth too early can have a negative impact on them. It can affect their speech development and/or prevent them from being able to chew food. Furthermore, baby act as space-savers for the adult developing teeth, and early loss of baby teeth without preserving the spaces for normal development can lead to crooked teeth, sometimes even trapped adult teeth in a condition called ankylosis. That can be a costly and dangerous problem! In addition, people who go to the dentist regularly from a young age tend to value their oral health into their adulthood because they see and understand the importance of maintaining a healthy smile.
How can I prepare my child for their visit to the dentist?
We understand that going to the dentist can be scary for a child. We do our best to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible while they are here. There are some easy ways to help prepare your child before they come to their appointment.
Practice playing “Dentist” at home. Playing dentist with them, helps them know what to expect and feel more comfortable because they played this at home.
Educate your child about oral health before they come in. If your child already knows things about their teeth, they have fun educating us at the dentist! Check out AmericasToothFairy.org for some fun educational oral health resources for your child!
Before their own appointment, you can bring them with you to your appointment. This allows them to see that “mom” or “dad” were brave and it’s not scary! It also gives them an idea of what to expect when it’s their turn.
Can I take my child to my general dentist, or does it need to be a pediatric dentist?
This really depends on the child. While we are not strictly a pediatric dental office, at Pine Cove Dental we are used to seeing children of all ages in addition to adults. We take pride in making your child’s visit to the dentist comfortable and fun! Sometimes, kids need a little extra attention to calm them down or make them feel comfortable. If your child is a little too uncomfortable or wiggly, we might recommend a dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry.
How can I help my child to avoid getting cavities?
We are so glad you asked! As their parent or guardian, you have a huge role in helping your child maintain a healthy smile.
Avoid sugary snacking - Every parent knows children love to snack! That’s okay! Instead of those cookies between meals, try healthier snack options. Crunchy foods like carrots, celery, nuts and apples help to clean off the teeth. Dairy foods like yogurt and cheese provide calcium to help keep their enamel strong!
Prevent bottle decay- We completely understand the need to calm a fussy baby. Giving them a bottle with milk or juice before bed or between normal feeding times exposes their teeth to sugars constantly, leaving them more prone to getting cavities. If they need a bottle between feedings or before bed, fill it with water instead.
Start a daily oral hygiene routine- As the parent and guardian, children look up to you. If you are brushing and flossing your teeth in the morning and before bed, they will want to be like you. Even if their first tooth hasn’t come in yet, allow them to chew on a baby toothbrush while you brush your teeth to get used to having something in their mouth every day. If they have a couple teeth, wipe them with a clean, damp cloth after eating. With younger kids, let them feel independent by having them show you how they can brush their teeth and then go back over the teeth to help them reach the areas they miss. With older kids, be firm on their scheduled time to brush and floss.
Schedule regular dental visits- We cannot emphasize enough the importance of scheduling your child to get their teeth cleaned and examined every 6 months. This prevents future problems and builds a good foundation for the future of their oral health.
If there are any other questions you can think of that we didn’t answer, we would love to hear from you! Contact our team today with any questions, concerns or if you’re ready to schedule your child’s next dental appointment.