Prepare for your child’s first dental visit.

It’s never too early for your child to see the team at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dental in Vancouver, Washington. Our team is ready to see your child as soon as their first tooth appears, which is sooner than you think. Our staff is trained in and dedicated to pediatric dentistry, with a focus on educating parents about the importance of preventative dental care for their little ones. Read on to learn more about what to expect during your child’s first dental appointment.

When should my child’s first dental appointment be?

The first dental appointment for your baby may come sooner than you think. The general rule among Dr. G and Dr. Mo is to bring your child in for their first dental visit after their first baby tooth has erupted, or before their first birthday, whichever comes first.

Many new parents don’t realize that dental health is something that should be addressed from day one. Even if your baby hasn’t had their first tooth erupt yet, you can still get them used to an oral health routine. Take a clean washcloth and wet it with warm water. You can use the washcloth like a toothbrush, and massage your child’s gums. This will help clean their mouth after feeding, as well as get the child used to someone examining their mouth.

What can I expect during my child’s first dental visit?

The first visit your child has at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry is more about them getting familiar with our dental office. The dentist can be a scary and unfamiliar place for children, and that can make them anxious. To avoid dental anxiety, we like our littlest patients to get familiar with the sights and sounds of the dental office early and often.

During your baby’s first visit, our team will go over your child’s health, as well as any concerns you may have as a parent about your child’s dental health. We will also discuss important dental milestones, like when the next teeth should begin to erupt, as well as when your child will start losing their primary teeth.

Next, we’ll perform a dental evaluation of your child’s mouth and gums. This allows Dr. Mo and Dr. G to see how your child’s teeth are erupting, and if there are any potential issues. Your child may also get a professional dental cleaning where their teeth are polished.

Prepare your child for their first dental appointment.

A visit to the dentist doesn’t need to be stressful. When planning your child’s first visit to the dentist, schedule the appointment for a time when your child is normally awake. If a child is cranky or hungry, it could make for a dental visit that is unpleasant for them.

As your child gets older, make sure you refer to the dentist in a positive light. A dentist is a friendly doctor who is in charge of making sure your child’s teeth are healthy. Your child may want to read about the dental experience to learn more, and if that’s the case, here are ten books we recommend. To prepare your child for their dental visit, you can also role play a visit to the dentist so your child knows what to expect during their visit.

Get expert care from the Must Love Kids Pediatric Dental team.

The team at Must Love Kids is highly trained in pediatric dentistry. That means we know all about children and their teeth. During your child’s first visit, make it a time to educate yourself about your child’s oral health journey. Feel free to ask any questions you may have, and bring up any oral health concerns you might have. This time can be used to educate yourself on the best way to brush your child’s teeth, what dental products to use, and when to expect your child to hit dental milestones.

Why are biannual dental visits important?

The Must Love Kids Pediatric Dental team encourages our patients to make a visit to our office every six months, or twice a year. This way, we can keep track of how your child’s teeth are coming in, as well as keep up on the health of their teeth. Just like a regular doctor’s visit, preventative dentistry is important to your child’s oral health journey. Regular visits can also help our team monitor any changes to your child’s mouth and teeth, and also serves as a way to check for cavities before they become a problem.

If you haven’t seen us in a while, make an appointment today!