When Should I Take My Child to the Children’s Dentist in Stillwater Ranch?

Despite what other parents have said to you, your life has actually gotten much simpler after you’ve had a child. These days, whenever you think you’ve misplaced something, there’s a high likelihood that it’s in your child’s mouth. They’re obviously teething, and it has you thinking, “Is it time for them to start going to the dentist?” This is a very common question, and your children’s dentist in Stillwater Ranch at Alamo Springs Dental is going to answer it, as well as let you know what to expect during their first visit.

When Should I Take Them to the Dentist For the First Time?

Logic might tell you that you should schedule your child’s first dental appointment as soon as their first tooth appears, but that may actually be too soon. Dr. Michele Moreno and Dr. Aiyana Anderson, along with the American Dental Association, recommend that your child should have their first dental appointment 6 months after their first tooth has erupted. This means you don’t need to rush after they get their first tooth. If you bring them in too early, they simply won’t have enough dental structure for your dentist in Stillwater to examine. However, if your child doesn’t have any teeth by the time they turn 1, you should go ahead and schedule an appointment.

 What Will Their First Visit Be Like?

Your child’s first visit to Alamo Springs Dental will have much less to do with treatment than trying to make them feel comfortable in our office. These initial visits are very important to help your child establish a positive connection to going to the dentist, so it’s best to start slow. It will mostly involve you and your child walking around our office so they can become familiar with it, and we’ll make sure they get to meet both doctors and each member of our team. Afterward, you’ll talk with one of the doctors about your child’s medical history and any other observations you’ve made that might be relevant to their dental health.

You’ll also discuss their basic oral hygiene, why it’s important, how their diet affects their teeth, and developmental milestones you should look for. This will help you monitor your child’s growth as well as get them thinking about taking care of their teeth.

During this visit, one of the doctors will perform a short oral exam, cleaning, and talk about their observations with you. After this first visit, you should bring your child in every 6 months for a standard check-up and cleaning, just like yourself. We’ve found that these following visits go much smoother after the leisurely first visit simply because it allows a child to get used to the new sights, sounds, and faces in the office before receiving any treatment.

Want To Know More?

When it comes to treating your child, it’s all about a tender touch, and they’ll get that every time they come to see us. Both of our doctors have young children of their own as well, so they completely empathize with parents bringing their little ones in for the first time. We want your child to grow up healthy just like you do, and we’re happy to be a part of that.

If you have any questions about when you should bring your child to the dentist or what to expect, please give us a call today.