The thought of visiting the dentist can be an intimidating experience, even for adults. You may never know what a visit will have in store for you, but one thing is for certain: regular visits are extremely important for your oral health.
This also applies to your child. When you’re taking your child for his or her first visit our office, it’s important to remember that you should make this trip as comfortable for your little one as possible. The office, other children crying, the large chair, tools on the table, and other factors can make your child feel nervous.
But your baby’s first trip to the office does not need to be a fussy experience. As long as you’re there to comfort your child, the entire trip should go smoothly. It’s recommended that you take your little one on their first dental visit when their first tooth pops in or at their first birthday, whichever comes first.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING YOUR BABY’S FIRST DENTAL VISIT?
Your child’s first visit to with us will normally be short and won’t involve much treatment. It’s important that you give your little one the opportunity to meet Dr. Gantz in a friendly, non-threatening setting. This will help your child develop a bond with our team and not look at them as a source of danger. Sometimes, we might even ask you to wait outside while they have a friendly chat with your child.
During your little one’s first appointment, we will examine all of his or her existing teeth and check for decay or any potential issues with the oral tissue, gums, and jaw. We will also check the strength of your baby’s bite. If we find any problems during the examination, we will clean your baby’s teeth and give you direction of how to establish good oral habits for your child.
PEDIATRIC DENTAL VISITS: FLUORIDE VARNISH AND X-RAYS
Dr. Gantz may recommend fluoride varnish treatments for your little one to help keep tooth decay at bay. The dentist may perform a fluoride varnish even during the first appointment if they notice any signs of decay or cavities.
It is recommended that you take your child for fluoride varnish treatments at least twice a year. This, however, depends on your child’s eating habits and how likely it may be for your child to develop cavities or tooth decay.
In case you’re worried, fluoride varnish is a very safe dental treatment that is used to prevent children from developing tooth decay and helps to strengthen the enamel on their teeth.
If necessary, we might even perform a dental X-ray on your child during the first visit. This is often suggested for children who have higher risks of developing dental problems such as cavities or decay or children who were born with a cleft lip or palate. It is also more important for children who are about six years old and have their adult teeth to have X-rays taken; this is because it helps us find out if their teeth are growing correctly and if there are any issues with their jaws.
During your child’s first visit to Enhanced Dental Care, make sure you learn correct oral habits for your baby, ways to prevent decay and cavities, and proper nutrition.
SCHEDULE YOUR CHILD’S FIRST VISIT
Contact Enhanced Dental Care in Walla Walla, the office of Dr. Jonathan Gantz, if you would like to set up an appointment for your child’s first dental visit.
ENHANCED DENTAL CARE (509) 525-9111
2014 S. Howard St., Suite D, Walla Walla, WA 99362
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