How old should my child be for their first checkup?

According to the American Dental Association, your child’s first checkup should occur by their first birthday or after their first tooth erupts. During the visit, our family dentist in Sciota will carefully examine your child’s dental growth and look for abnormalities that may affect their development. Parents may accompany their child during the examination or remain in the waiting area.

What happens during the checkup visit?

Our children’s dentists in Sciota begin the checkup by visually examining your child’s gums and teeth. In most cases, digital x-rays are necessary to understand your child’s oral development and ensure there are no potential problems. Also, our dentists will look for adverse effects from extensive bottle use or prolonged thumb sucking. Then, our skilled hygienists will brush, floss, and clean your child’s teeth. Next, we will discuss good hygiene habits and how to effectively clean your child’s mouth. For example, we encourage fluoridated toothpaste when a child is old enough to spit it out, as they should avoid ingesting fluoride. Finally, we will schedule another appointment within six months for a checkup, cleaning, and continuous monitoring of your child’s best oral health result.

How can I prepare my child for their first dental visit?

A child’s first visit to a dental office should be a positive experience for both the child and the parent. Since the dentist is a new experience, preparing your child beforehand can help. For example, our Sciota dentist for kids encourages parents to bring their children to the office to meet our friendly staff so that they feel more comfortable during future visits. Additionally, talking to your child about the positive aspects of dental care or reading a book about visiting the dentist can help answer some of your child’s questions. Furthermore, showing your child what to expect at the exam and role-playing the process may ease their anxieties or worries.

What are some ways to prevent cavities?

Tooth decay is prevalent among children in the U.S., but it’s a condition that’s controllable with preventive care. Daily brushing and flossing help keep teeth healthy, and sealant applications can provide an additional protective layer for emerging permanent molars. Since molars have tiny crevices that complicate removing bacteria, they’re more at risk for developing cavities, especially when children don’t properly care for their smiles. Therefore, applying sealants can protect against harmful bacteria attacks for multiple years when combined with a daily oral care regimen.

Below are a few more ways our Sciota family dentist recommends reducing the bacteria’s impact on your child’s smile.

• Maintain a meal schedule
• Avoid between-meal snacks
• Encourage water consumption
• Limit sugary foods and beverages
• Promote daily brushing and flossing
• Offer fresh fruit or vegetables for snacks

Why is good oral hygiene so crucial to children?

Starting oral care early in your child’s life can improve their health and ensure proper oral development. For example, baby teeth serve multiple purposes, such as chewing food and speech development. Additionally, baby teeth occupy the space where permanent teeth erupt later in life. Therefore, oral health damage during adolescence may result in damaged adult teeth and require expensive treatments. So, our Sciota pediatric dentist recommends that parents encourage good oral hygiene habits for the best possible outcome.

Pediatric Dentist in Sciota, Pennsylvania

Your child will carry their smile throughout their life. You can dramatically impact your child’s oral and overall health when you opt for quality dental care at our Sciota pediatric dental office during their adolescent years. Additionally, you may save money by preventing damage caused by neglect. So, help your child get started on the right foot with their oral health and schedule an appointment at Quiet Valley Dental by calling (570) 992-7040 or contacting us online today.