What to Expect at Your Child’s First Dental Visit

by | Jun 30, 2021 | General Dentistry

Your child's first dental visit

Baby’s First Dental Visit

Parents of young children often have many questions about what to expect at their child’s first dental visit. It’s also quite common for parents to worry about how their child will behave at their first appointment. Parents often wonder, Will my child open their mouth for the dentist? or Will my child receive a clean bill of dental health? The best thing parents can do is ensure they are adequately prepared for the first visit and that they bring their child in for the first time within six months of them getting their first tooth or by their first birthday.

The Benefits of an Early First Dental Visit

If you are the parent of a young child, you might wonder why you should bring your child in for their first dental visit at such an early age. The truth is the sooner your child starts getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will be now and in the future. These first dental visits can help set your child on the path to prevent cavities and tooth decay. 

Further, kids with healthy teeth can chew their food easily and are more likely to learn to speak clearly and smile confidently. Finally, in some cases, these first dental visits by the age of one, and subsequent visits every six months, can help dentists identify problems early and get children into the habit of caring for their teeth.

Dentists educate parents about proper oral hygiene for their kids.

Aside from ensuring that your child has good oral health now, dentists often use the first dental visit to educate parents about adequately caring for their kids’ teeth. In particular, the team at Metro East Dental Care will take the time to educate you on the five following topics.

  1. The importance of gum and tooth care and how to instill an oral care hygiene routine in your child 
  2. How to help your child brush their teeth 
  3. The importance of daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a fluoridated mouthwash
  4. Risks of pacifier use and when to take the pacifier away from your child
  5. Tooth-friendly foods and beverages

Prepare in advance for your child’s first visit.

Perhaps the key to success in ensuring a beneficial and positive first dental visit for you and your child is to think through your questions in advance. Take time to write your questions down in a notebook (don’t forget to bring it with you) or make notes of them in the Notes app on your mobile device. 

Many parents come prepared with questions, such as:

  1. What is the most child-friendly toothpaste?
  2. At what age can my child start using a kids’ mouthwash?
  3. How can I teach my child to brush their teeth?
  4. When will the rest of my baby’s teeth come in?
  5. At what age should my child start flossing?
  6. Is thumb-sucking or pacifier use bad for my baby?
  7. When should my child get their first dental X-ray?
  8. What do I do if my child falls and loses a tooth?
  9. Will my child need braces?
  10. How often should my child see the dentist?

Ensure you have the proper dental coverage in advance of your child’s dental visit.

Check in on the type of dental insurance, if any, that you have for your child. But if you don’t have dental insurance, know that there is no reason to worry, and it is not a reason to forego a trip to the pediatric dentist. If you have had trouble finding the right dentist or are searching online for a kids’ dentist in Granite City, IL, but you are worried about dental coverage, then look no further.

Metro East Dental Care accepts various payment options, including cash, personal checks, and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. And we strive to make it easy for you to afford your dental care. We partner with both CareCredit™ and LendingClub to offer affordable payment plans with little to no interest. 

Finally, we offer the Metro East Dental Care membership plan. Membership plans start as low as $40 per month for children under 14 and include the services your child will need to maintain good oral health.

Metro East Dental Care makes your child’s first dental visit a breeze.

If you live in the vicinity of Granite City, IL, and are looking for a pediatric dentist or family dentist, then look no further. Our patient testimonials demonstrate the volume of happy and healthy patients we have treated over the years. To schedule an appointment for your child’s first dental visit, request an appointment using our convenient online form.

We look forward to seeing you soon!