You are never too young to start looking after your teeth. In fact, our childhood years are a crucial time for oral health, and it’s important that you take your kids to the dentist regularly.
Here at Main Dental, we pride ourselves on caring for children’s teeth and gums. We understand that a trip to the dentist can be distressing for young children (and adults alike!) and will do everything we can to ensure that your visit and treatment is as stress free as possible.
At the same time, we also understand the importance of dental care for children. Research shows that tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases in the US today, and that this can also have knock-on effects for children – children with untreated dental conditions often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t.
The value of dental appointments for children goes beyond disease prevention, though. It’s important to understand how you can instill good dental hygiene habits in your children, because the habits we form at this age determine those we have as adults, and ultimately the health of our teeth and gums.
We can help you with this too – by explaining to your children the importance of brushing and flossing, and by pointing you to resources such as the CDC guidance on how you can and your child can look after their teeth.
We know that the first visit to the dentist can be stressful for kids. That’s why we go out of our way to make it caring, compassionate, and even fun.
What age should a child go to the dentist?
It’s recommended that you book the first dentist appointment for your child by the time they are a year old, or within 6 months of the first teeth appearing. During the first visit, your dentist will likely conduct a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, and gums in order to spot any issues before they become a problem.
How should I prepare my child for the dentist?
We understand that some children do not like visiting the dentist, and we will try to make their visit as stress free as possible. However, you can also help by using praise and positive reinforcement around their visit – telling them they are brave is very important!
Do dentists clean toddlers’ teeth?
Yes. We can perform cleanings for children’s teeth just as we would for adults. This helps keep teeth clean between visits, and can stop problems such as gum disease from arising.
Making their first visit fun
We know that the first visit to the dentist can be stressful for kids. That’s why we go out of our way to make it caring, compassionate, and maybe even fun.