Your Child's First Dental Appointment

Dr. Joel Lanie has tips for parents and recommendations when it comes to your child's first dental appointment  and what should you as the parent should expect.

First visit at age 1. With parent. Happy Visit
• 2 yrs old maybe cleaning, ideally without parent
• 3 years old typical cleaning and exam without parent, maybe x-rays
• 4-5 full exam, cleaning, x-rays without parent in room
• Age 7 evaluation for early orthodontic intervention.
• Why is it best for parents to stay in waiting room?

How can you help make your child’s dental visit a good one?
• Prepare them for what will be done
• Do not scare them, and don’t let them see that you are scared if you are
• Praise them for doing good at the dentist and for brushing their teeth.
• Don’t say scary words like “shot”, “needle”, or “drill”.

Commonly asked questions
1. Can’t we just use Nitrous (gas) instead of a shot?
2. Why fix teeth that are just going to come out?
3. My child’s teeth have a lot of spacing, will they need braces?
4. Can we do whitening on my child’s teeth?

Oral Hygiene for Children:
• Children need help brushing their teeth until their fine motor skills develop (6 or 7)
• Use children’s toothpaste with low fluoride for young children who may be prone to swallowing
   toothpaste. Use just a pea sized dab of toothpaste.
• Teach them to floss to build the habit.
• Watch sugary drinks even milk and fruit juice, and sticky sweets.