Your Child’s First Dental Appointment

Your baby’s sweet gummy smiles will only last for so long. Before you know it, those first teeth will pop up, ready to gnaw and chew.  Typically, the initial teeth that come in are the bottom front teeth; they usually appear by the first birthday. Once those teeth have erupted, it’s time to see the dentist. In fact, the ADA and pediatricians recommend that children visit the dentist for the first time no later than after they turn 1 year old.

Early Introduction

When a child is so young, introducing new people and places can be fun. There is no preconceived idea about the dentist being scary or painful. Most of the time, a little preparation is all you need to ensure a successful first appointment:

Anticipate:  Tell your child ahead of time where you are taking him.  Using simple language, tell him that the dentist takes care of your teeth to keep them healthy.

Know what to Expect: When your little one knows what to expect, she will be much more cooperative. Let her know that she will need to sit in a special chair, perhaps in your lap, and let the dentist look at her teeth and maybe take pictures of them.

Early Prevention:

When you bring your child to the dentist early and continue bringing them for their regular 6 month check-ups, you let the dentist develop a relationship with your child and their dental health.  We’ll be able to see problems before they arise and intervene, to prevent their occurrence in the first place.

Whether monitoring the development and eruption of permanent teeth or catching an overbite and jaw development, early dental appointments with Park Smiles NYC Pediatrics are a tool to help your child have excellent oral health. Call for an appointment with our kid-friendly dentists and make your child’s smile shine.