The Importance Of Taking Your Child To The Dentist

Being proactive and involved in your child’s dental health from an early stage is important for their long-term health. Good oral care should start even before their first tooth comes in, as healthy teeth come from healthy gums. A positive relationship with the dentist from an early age therefore helps to avoid cavities, gum disease, enamel wear early diagnosis of other teeth issues. So just how important is it to take your child to the dentist?

When Should My Child First See The Dentist?

The sooner children begin getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. Decay can occur as soon as teeth appear, so your child's first visit to the dentist should take place before their first birthday. Around six months of age is advised, after the eruption of their first tooth. Early checkups help prevent cavities and tooth decay, which can lead to pain, trouble concentrating and other medical issues. Youngsters with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly and smile with confidence. Before their first visit, talk to your child about what to expect, building excitement as well as understanding about the upcoming visit.

Reducing Your Child’s Fear Of The Dentist

Bringing your child to the dentist early in life helps them to get used to the idea of gong to the dentist, reducing the fear associated with a foreign place. This allows for stress-free visits in the future. Early on in your child’s life, dental appointments are made to be fun, as it is important to promote a positive relationship with the dentist in general. Some dentists may allow you to sit and hold your child in the dentist chair for the first appointment, in order to help make them comfortable. If you or your child is nervous about the first dental appointment, feel free to contact the friendly team at Blue Tooth Dental prior to your appointment.

Tips For Caring For Children’s Teeth

Here are our top tips to take care of your child’s oral health at home after a dentist visit:

• Baby Teeth — Even before teething starts, run a clean, damp washcloth over the gums to clear harmful bacteria
• Infant Toothbrush — Once your baby has teeth, brush them with an infant toothbrush. Use water and a small amount of toothpaste, around the size of a grain of rice
• Start Flossing — Once your baby's teeth touch, begin flossing between them
• Start To Spit — Around age 2, your child should learn to spit while brushing. Avoid giving your child water to rinse as this might make swallowing toothpaste more likely
• Fluoride — Kids aged 3 and up can use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
• Supervise — Always supervise kids under 6 while brushing, as they are more likely to swallow toothpaste.

Children’s Dentist Sydney

By helping to promote the dentist as a place not to fear, you assist your child and their dentist to achieve better oral health. Call Dundas Dental Surgery in Sydney on 0291990782 to book an appointment today.