In spite of the fact that your child will begin to visit the dentist on a regular basis around the age of one, the first dental cleaning will most likely take place a little later, once the bulk of the baby teeth has emerged.
Because of this, the initial cleaning is typically done when the child is a toddler, which is between the ages of 12 and 36 months. During this time, the dentist for your child will be able to find and remove plaque and tartar buildup before they cause more serious issues.
Preparing Your Child for Their First Dental Cleaning
It's important to spend some time talking with your child about what will take place before the first cleaning visit happens. Talk to children about the significance of keeping their teeth healthy, and describe what the dentist will do in language that is suitable for their age and stage of development.
You might want to try and keep it basic. Providing too many details may cause your youngster to get concerned. Most of the time, we recommend that parents say something along the lines of this:
"The dentist is going to look at your teeth, count them, and make sure they are healthy and strong. The dentist’s name is Dr. Doctor. They are really nice!"
Avoid using foul language around your child if he or she is already anxious about visiting the dentist. Even if you use kinder words to describe the discomfort, such as "not too bad" or "only a little," your child is still likely to associate words like "shot," "pinch," and "needle" with it.
If dentist appointments are a source of worry for you, try not to express your feelings to your kid during the session. When it comes to responding to new experiences, they look to you for direction. If you appear to be concerned, they will be as well.
During the Appointment
We strongly advise getting in touch with us in advance to discuss your child's personality. Do they typically react with fear or disobedience when faced with uncertain circumstances? Are there any developmental or attachment issues with your child that we should be aware of and address at the appointment?
The more information we have, the more we will be able to cater to your child's individual requirements and ensure that they receive the care that they require.
At the beginning of the session, we will inspect your child's teeth, jaws, gums, and bite to ensure that they are in good health.
In addition, we will use specialized devices to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, exactly like we do with adult patients.
We will present recommendations for correct brushing and flossing techniques. Whether your child washes and flosses his own teeth or you still do it for them, it never hurts to get a refresher course on the subject.
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have concerning your child's oral health or any impending dental treatments during the visit.
Following the completion of the exam and cleaning, we will schedule any required follow-up visits. Also, if you like, we may schedule the next cleaning and checkup session sooner if necessary.