The Australian Dental Association recommends that you take your child to the dentist at the appearance of the first tooth or the when the baby turns one, whichever is earlier. While several parents feel no need to take their babies to dentists until they have complete sets of teeth, bear in mind that babies have around 20 partially formed primary teeth at birth that are waiting to erupt. Your child’s first visit to the dentist is important because it sets the path to preventive dentistry.
Results of a 2009 study surrounding children’s oral health showed that most parents don’t take their children to the dentist until they are two years of age. That’s a tad later than the ideal time recommended by dental professionals the world over.
What can you expect during your child's first visit to a dentist?
Unless you child suffers from a dental problem, his or her first dental visit should not take much time. For one, a visit that does not include any treatment gives your child an opportunity to interact with the dentist in a friendly and nonthreatening way. You may even be asked to sit in the dentist’s chair and hold your baby while the dentist carries out the inspection.
As part of the check up, your dentist will examine your child’s bite, look for signs of decay, identify any potential problems with the jaw and gums, and determine if there is need for a fluoride-based treatment.
Aspects your dentist might discuss with you include:
- Oral hygiene practices your child should follow
- Teething
- Habits such as lip sucking, thumb sucking, and tongue thrusting
- Fluoride requirements
- Nutritional requirements
When Should Your Child Get the First Dental X-Ray?
Your child’s dentist will help ascertain whether an x-ray is required depending on risk factors surrounding the development dental problems. For instance, children who suffer from cleft palate/lip palate or children prone to baby bottle tooth decay may benefit by getting x-rays earlier than usual. X-rays typically tend to enter the picture when a child is around six to seven years old, to check if adult teeth are taking shape properly and to look for bite-related problems.
After your child’s first visit to the dentist, your dentist will schedule checkups based on your child’s existing oral health. In case there is nothing to worry about, your child might not need to see the dentist again for six months to a year.
If your child’s first tooth has appeared or if your child is over one year old, it is best that you schedule an appointment with this dentist in Browns Plains at the earliest.
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