Bringing a baby to the dentist may seem a bit unnecessary. After all, what’s one baby tooth?
But it can help your child grow up with healthier teeth. Even if we don’t look into their mouth on their very first visit, children who are used to a clinical environment are much more confident when they’re older.
Both our private and NHS practices hold regular children’s days, when we prioritise dental care for children. Get in touch with our reception team to learn more, by filling in the form below.
Too often, a child’s first appointment is when they’ve had an accident, or they have pain. From then on there’s a negative association. We want to make a visit to the dentist a positive first experience, even if they’re so young they won’t remember it!
Remember too, it’s really important to talk positively about your own visit to the dentist in front of children. Please make sure they know how kind and friendly we are!
Why by the age of one?
The advice from Public Health England is that children should see a dentist from six months because that’s when first teeth usually come through. By the age of one, most of a baby’s front teeth should be present. It’s an opportunity for the dentist to look into his or her mouth and check that the teeth are developing as they should. We also know that 1 in 8 three-year-old children have visible dental decay, so we don’t want children waiting until school age for their first dental visit. Dental decay is almost always preventable, and we want children to grow up with healthy teeth that are free from decay.
What can the dentist do when a child is so young?
The first appointment is an important one as it’s a chance to meet your dentist and their team. Hopefully, your child will feel at home there and be ready to open their mouth so the dentist can do an examination, but don’t worry if that is not the case! This visit is also an opportunity for you to check what sort of toothbrush and toothpaste is right for your child and to get advice on food and drink. You can also find out if the dentist offers fluoride varnish so that when your child is a bit older, he or she can be given a protective varnish for their back teeth which helps to prevent decay.
What happens if my child won’t co-operate
Sometimes a child won’t open their mouth. Don’t worry. Some children take longer to adapt to new surroundings. If after some encouragement, your child keeps their teeth clamped together, there should still be time for you to chat to the dentist and get preventive advice for your child. Book to return in a few months and hopefully, the dentist will have more luck in seeing into your child’s mouth!
Click here to read the BSPD leaflet – A Practical Guide to Children’s Teeth
