Just like adults do, children need to see the dentist regularly.
Ideally, your child should have their first dentist appointment by the time they turn 2 years old.
Learn more about how our team provides dentistry services for children and your child can benefit from visiting one of our dental professionals.
Why Children Need Regular Dental Check Ups
Some parents may think it’s okay to put off their child’s first dental appointment until they have a full set of teeth.
However, it’s important to address oral health as early as possible. As your child grows, we will ensure their primary and secondary teeth develop correctly. If any issues arise, we will treat them before they get the chance to get worse.
We will also help teach your child how to best care for their teeth at home. This will prevent the need for costly dental treatments in the future.
What to Expect During Early Childhood Dental Appointments
Every child will have different oral health conditions, so our team will meet their unique needs during each appointment.
During an early childhood appointment, we will typically start by assessing your child’s current dental condition and looking for any signs of tooth decay. We will also assess factors like:
- Hereditary problems including missing or malformed teeth
- The need for fissure sealants, fluoride, or other preventative measures
- Bad habits like tongue thrusting and finger sucking
- The growth of the dentition and the potential need for orthodontics
- Jaw growth and tooth size
When we gather this information, we can get a good idea of how to best care for your child’s oral health in the future.
One of our dental professionals will also take the time to provide advice on topics like:
- Teething and parafunctional habits
- Brushing and oral hygiene techniques
- How to prevent dental decay
- Nutrition
How We Prevent Dental Anxiety
The earlier you start taking your child to routine dental check ups, the more comfortable they will get in a dentist’s office.
Our team has created a child-friendly environment so that younger patients can feel safe. Our patient staff will work with your child to build their trust and create the most enjoyable and comfortable experience possible.
For children with severe apprehensions or anxieties about the dentist, we offer sedation dentistry to make them as comfortable as possible.
Some of the sedation options we have available include:
- Inhalation sedation
- Oral sedatives
- Sleep dentistry IV sedation
We are more than happy to talk through all of these options with you to find the one that will work best for your child’s situation.
However, getting your child into our dentist office as early as possible will make them grow used to the procedures and tools involved. As a result, they likely won’t need sedation dentistry. Schedule their first appointment today to make going to the dentist a part of your child’s regular routine!
Book Your Child’s Appointment Today!
Rather you’re looking to book your child’s first dental appointment or transfer them to a new dentist, our team at Complete Family Dental can help. Book your child’s first appointment with us today!