{"id":250,"date":"2020-12-12T17:29:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-12T17:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/blog\/?p=250"},"modified":"2021-01-20T17:33:11","modified_gmt":"2021-01-20T17:33:11","slug":"castle-rock-childrens-dentist-what-to-expect-first-appointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.castlerocksmiles.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/12\/castle-rock-childrens-dentist-what-to-expect-first-appointment\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Expect At Your Child\u2019s First Dental Appointment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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As a parent, you already know that children grow up fast. In fact, it will be time for your little one\u2019s first dental checkup before you know it! The American Dental Association recommends that a child\u2019s first dental visit should be by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth erupting (whichever comes first). While taking your child to the dentist for the first time can be somewhat nerve-wracking, there are plenty of things you can do to help it go as smoothly as possible. Here\u2019s what to expect at your child\u2019s first appointment with your Castle Rock children\u2019s dentist<\/a> and how to best prepare for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What To Expect During Your Child\u2019s Appointment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, a child\u2019s first dental checkup is short and involves very little treatment. Instead, the main focus of this visit is to simply introduce them to all the new sights, sounds, and friendly faces of their dentist\u2019s office in a peaceful and relaxed setting. This is much more likely to help them form a positive first impression of dental care than if it was postponed until they had a cavity or toothache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, your dentist will carefully inspect your child\u2019s mouth, teeth, and jaw to make sure their development is on track. They\u2019ll be keeping a close eye out for hidden cavities, tiny cracks in the enamel, and other warning signs of early oral health issues. Sometimes, they\u2019ll take X-rays at this appointment. Once they\u2019ve gone over their findings with you, they\u2019ll discuss the best ways to keep your little one\u2019s smile healthy at home and answer whatever questions you may have. Finally, they\u2019ll gently clean your child\u2019s teeth until they\u2019re gleaming and fresh!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing for Your Child\u2019s Dental Visit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can set a good tone for your son\u2019s or daughter\u2019s checkup before they even reach the office! A few days or a week or two before their appointment, start talking to your child about their upcoming visit in a positive, upbeat tone. Remember, your child will look to you to see how they should react. Even if you get nervous about visiting the dentist, do your best to keep your tone calm and stay away from sharing any bad experiences you\u2019ve had in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help your child understand more about dental care, try reading them children\u2019s books or showing them cartoons about dental checkups. You can even practice their visit from the comfort at home! Have them sit in a chair, lean back, and open their mouth while you use a toothbrush to count their teeth out loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for a Great First Dental Checkup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of simple but effective ways you can help your child\u2019s first dental checkup go as smoothly as possible, like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n