Many people are uncertain as to when the appropriate time is to bring their kids to see a dentist; as soon as the first tooth comes out.
By introducing your child into a dental environment at a young age enables them to become familiar with the surroundings and makes the association between the dentist and patient a positive experience.
When bringing your child in, parents need to be positive regardless of their previous dental experiences being good or bad; this greatly influences a child's behaviour. Making the visit to the dentist a fun outing rather than a stressful one helps get the child excited about his/her visit to the dentist.
In general first visits to the Dentist are brief and usually just to make child and dentist familiar with one another. If the child shows signs of anxiety the dentist may recall the patient for the treatment that is needed. At these appointments parents are also educated on how to help their kids maintain good oral hygiene to prevent any future cavities from forming, including brushing techniques and dietary advice.
It is important after the first visit that parents maintain a routine check up for their kids every 6 months.
News supplied by Hilton Family Dental Care.