As a parent, you want the very best for your child and strive to ensure they stay healthy. You feed them a proper diet to promote their growth while teaching them everything they need to know to succeed in life. However, in addition to their health and academics, the teeth and gums are equally as important. They play a vital role in their ability to learn how to chew and speak correctly while also setting the foundation for their lifelong dental health. In addition to home oral hygiene habits, they also need regular care from their pediatric dentist in Amherst. Before the age of one, it is time to schedule your child’s first appointment.
Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
The younger your child begins to see their dentist regularly, the better. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first appointment before their first birthday. While they will only have a few teeth at this point, it helps to foster the development of a healthy smile and allows them to build a trusted relationship with their dentist for stress-free appointments.
During your child’s first visit, it may not seem like too much is being done because no x-rays are taken. However, this could not be further from the truth. Although no diagnostic images are used, the dentist will conduct a brief visual examination to look at their teeth. If your child allows it, they may even try to clean their teeth to help them become familiar and comfortable with the process.
The appointment also offers a valuable learning experience for you. Your dentist will discuss how to properly care for your child’s teeth as they age and the development of oral milestones. In addition, they will take the time to talk about any concerns that can hurt their smile, such as thumb sucking or using a bottle for too long.
To promote their oral and overall health, your dentist will explain how our child’s diet impacts the development of their teeth. In addition to healthy foods, they will take the time to talk about those that can damage their smiles, like those that contain sugar.
As your child ages, the visits will become more advanced to eventually include x-rays, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants to foster a healthy smile.
Promote a Healthy Smile
Early dental care has shown to improve a child’s commitment to lifelong oral hygiene habits for a healthy smile that will last for a lifetime. With a team approach, you and your dentist will set the right foundation for healthy teeth and gums.
About Northampton Pediatric Dentistry PC
Northampton Pediatric Dentistry PC caters to young smiles. We provide a caring and gentle atmosphere to make even the youngest of patients feel at ease while helping them to achieve healthy teeth and gums. Our dental team is experienced with young children to make dental appointments comfortable and stress-free through all stages of oral development. If it is time for your child’s first visit, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.