What Age Should I Take My Children To A Kids Dentist?

Kids Dentist

Kids often hate the dentist which puts parents off booking their first appointment. This guide explains the age when you should arrange for your child’s first dental visit. 

Are you dreading taking your child on a trip to the dentist? You’re not alone. Many parents worry about these visits to the point where they attempt to avoid them altogether. Of course, it is not just children that fear the dentist. Dental anxiety or fear is believed to impact 36% of the population. 

You might think that you can hold off on booking an appointment with the dentist for your child until they are older. A common theory is that dental visits don’t matter when a child still has their baby teeth. After all, they’re going to fall out regardless! 

However, a dental visit is crucial for children from an early age. Don’t forget, a dentist won’t just make sure that they are brushing enough. They play an important role in ensuring that your child has good general oral health and there are no issues lurking underneath the surface.   

When Should You Take Your Child for Their First Dental Appointment? 

Experts agree that your child should have their first dental appointment before they are one year old. Indeed, it is recommended that you book an appointment when their first teeth start to show. Baby teeth can start to erupt anywhere after four months. When this happens, you need to start brushing them every day and you should get them checked by a professional. 

There are numerous reasons why taking your child to the dentist this early is important. First, it helps ensure that they become familiar with these trips and get to know their dentist. In doing so, you can guarantee that they are less likely to be worried or scared of these trips as they get older. It will be something that has been part of their annual routine since they could learn to eat solids. A dentist will also check for issues with your child’s oral health. This could include checking for signs of serious health conditions such as oral cancer. While extremely rare in children, it is still something that you need to be aware of as a parent. 

Early dental appointments will also ensure that your child develops good dental habits from an early age. This includes brushing their teeth the right way and understanding the importance of keeping their teeth clean. 

What To Expect from Your Child’s First Dental Visit 

Not much will occur at your child’s first few dental trips. Your child will sit on your lap or directly in the chair depending on how comfortable they are. The dentist will check everything including their: 

• Jaw 
• Teeth 
• Gums 

They will look for signs that these are developing properly and that there are no signs of issues such as cavities. 

The dentist will then give your child’s teeth a quick clean. They will also likely answer any questions you have about your child’s oral hygiene as well as how to ensure that your child does develop strong, healthy teeth. 

Choosing The Right Dentist for Your Child 

It’s important to ensure that your child has a positive experience when they visit the dentist the first few times. You need to find a family dentist who has plenty of experience working with younger children. Professionals like this will understand how to keep your child happy and comfortable during their visit, avoiding some of the common problems. They will also know how to handle the situation if your child is scared or nervous during their appointment. 

To find the right dentist, make sure that you do check the reviews that have been left by previous patients. You may also want to consider speaking to friends and family members to find out which dentist their children visit. You can visit the dentist first yourself without your child to ensure that they are the right fit for your child and your family. Family dentists often strive to ensure that children are happy from the moment they walk in with a comfortable place to wait that has books for them to look at or toys to play with. 

Book Your Child’s First Dental Appointment Today 

We hope this helps you understand when you should book your child’s first dental appointment. If you are looking for a great dentist for children, please do not hesitate to contact our team today.  At Coast Dental Coquitlam, we have years of experience providing our services to families and will be delighted to book your child in for their first checkup.