When you think about taking your kids to the dentist, you probably are envisioning older kids who are capable of brushing their own teeth. In reality, your kids need to see a pediatric dentist well before they’re able to use a toothbrush on their own.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a pediatric dentist by their first birthday or 6 months after the eruption of their first tooth – whichever comes first. That may seem awfully young, especially since these teeth are “just baby teeth,” right? Well… not exactly. Making sure your little one’s primary teeth are healthy is essential for good oral health later in life. It can also save your kiddos more dental work (and you money) down the road.
Knee to knee at the first appointment
At Little Chompers, we take care of our littlest patients with what’s called a knee-to-knee exam. With this technique, we’re able to examine your child’s mouth while they remain seated comfortably in your lap. We start out with the caregiver seated in a chair with your kiddo seated in your lap facing you. Then your dentist will sit in a chair across from you – hence the “knee-to-knee” name. When your child is comfortable and ready, your dentist will help them lie back until their head rests in the doctor’s lap.
This technique gives us a great view of the inside of your child’s mouth, while still letting them be able to see Mom or Dad and hold their hands. Generally, this approach helps to keep kiddos calm during their exam and reduces the caregiver’s anxiety as well. In addition to examining your child’s teeth and mouth, we will do a quick fluoride treatment. Knee-to-knee examines not only make your first visits to the pediatric dentist more comfortable, they help to build trust between your child and the dentist and makes future visits less scary.
While we try to make every child feel as at-ease as possible, we know that the little bitty ones may need a little extra attention. The exam itself may be quick, since they may not have many teeth. We take our time with parents at these early appointments to explain the growth and development process as well as share tips on caring for and preventing cavities in your child’s teeth. And just like adults and older children, we recommend scheduling check-ups for kids 3 and under every six months. In these preventative care visits, you can expect exams, cleaning, and fluoride treatments. We generally reserve x-rays for when children are a bit more cooperative.
To schedule your baby’s first dental visit, or to learn more, just give us a call!