Your child’s dental health depends on you as they grow. From teaching them how to properly brush their teeth to taking them to a dentist for regular checkups, their oral health is placed in your hands as they grow. However, children’s dental health often goes overlooked – especially at a young age. But cavities can form as soon as your child’s teeth come in and they begin eating solid foods.
While dental visits can cause anxiety for anyone, no matter their age, knowing what to expect when you bring your child to the dentist for the first time may relieve your anxiety. This way, you can get your child prepared for a happy visit.
In the following, we’ll discuss what you can expect for a children’s dental appointment in Anchorage.
Looking for the right dentist for your child’s first visit? Schedule your child’s first dental visit with Health Centered Dentistry for a full checkup and evaluation today.
What Happens During a Child’s First Dental Visit?
Your child’s first dental visit will be a brand-new experience for both of you. But there’s no need to be nervous. The main thing to remember is to explain to your child that the dentist is there to help keep his or her teeth clean, and they’ll probably learn all about their teeth while at the dentist.
Really, your child’s first visit won’t be too different from an ordinary dental visit for an adult, though the dentist and staff will likely try to make your child smile and laugh to put them at ease. Other than that, you can expect the following:
- An examination of mouth, teeth, and gums
- Checking for cavities and sensitivity
- Questions about your child’s eating habits
- Questions about your child’s oral care or brushing habits
- Looking for signs of serious oral problems
- Discussing the best plan forward to correct any dental problems found during the examination
If your child has significant oral issues, you’ll likely be given a few options for correcting the problems. For example, if your child has a badly broken tooth, you may have the option of capping the tooth or having it removed.
When Should You Make Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment?
As we’ve already mentioned, cavities and oral issues can form at a very young age. In fact, even babies and toddlers can develop cavities. And many children have developed significant cavities between 2 and 5 years old – the average age range where parents bring their kids in for their first dental visit.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Dental Association all recommend that a child visits the dentist for the first time no later than when the child reaches one year of age – even if no teeth have emerged. Additionally, many dentists also recommend that once you see your child’s first tooth, you should bring them in for an initial visit about dental care.
Happy Visits in Anchorage
Here at Health Centered Dentistry in Anchorage, we’d love to see your children as soon as possible. Even if you’re just coming in to talk about oral care, or if your child has a problem that needs to be corrected, we’ll help your kiddo to feel as comfortable as possible for their very first visit. After all, the first day at the dentist is a special time for a child – and their experience could help shape their dental habits for years to come.
Keep in mind that we see kids of all ages, from babies to teenagers. And we can offer the best guidance toward meeting your child’s dental care needs. Even if you have questions about your child’s dental care, we can help you play the most positive role possible in the development of your child’s oral hygiene. Whether it’s a few helpful tips or talking about essential dental tools, we have you and your child covered.
During a visit, you and your child will learn:
- How to properly brush
- How to properly floss
- How to check for cavities
- How fluoride treatments work
- How dental checkups and cleanings are a part of oral health
We understand that you and your child may have many questions. And during your child’s first visit, we’re happy to assist you with answering all of your questions and concerns while making their visit the best experience possible.
How Often Should Your Child Have a Dental Checkup in Anchorage?
After your child’s first visit, your dentist will likely give you instructions on a plan for care that may include regular checkups, cleanings, and the like. Typically, routine cleaning is scheduled every six months, though some parents prefer to have a cleaning scheduled anywhere from every three months to once annually.
Keep in mind that the frequency of your child’s scheduled visits is going to depend primarily on their initial dental evaluation and overall state of oral health. As such, if your child requires extensive work or oral surgery, you may have more frequent checkups than average.
Most of the time, if your child has good oral health, only two annual visits may be recommended. Again, if your child needs greater care such as being fitted for orthodontics, you’ll likely have more checkups than twice a year.
What Should I Do if My Child Has a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies are nothing to put on the back burner. Once your child begins feeling any type of discomfort or pain, or if you notice that they have a swollen jaw or gums, this is a definite sign to bring them in for an evaluation. And many issues can arise that may be treated as an emergency.
A few dental emergencies are:
- Severe toothaches
- Knocked out or broken tooth (from an accident)
- Partially dislodged teeth
- Oral abscess
- Swelling of the face or jaw
- Lost, broken, or swallowed dental apparatus (retainers, crowns, etc.)
- Busted lips, bruising, or deep cuts on the gums
You probably already understand that many kids are accident-prone – especially at a young age. And it’s not uncommon for a tooth to get knocked out or broken after a slip and fall on the playground or even while running down the street. Regardless, when your child has any of the aforementioned dental emergencies, you should schedule an emergency visit immediately.
Get Your Child the Best Dental Care with Health Centered Dentistry in Anchorage
At Health Centered Dentistry in Anchorage, we take the time to get to know you and your child. We also understand that they may be nervous about their first visit. This is natural for most children. And we’re here to set them at ease and make them feel as comfortable as possible for their first time sitting in a dentist’s chair.
Whether your child is coming in to get their first tooth looked at, or if you have a toddler with a few cavities, we stand ready to serve you and your child and ensure that you both have the best experience possible while taking care of your child’s oral health.
Are you ready to bring your child to the dentist for their very first visit? Schedule your child’s first dental visit with Health Centered Dentistry for a full checkup and evaluation today.
