Your child’s first visit to the dentist is important because it helps them establish healthy habits and good oral health as they grow older. The ADA recommends that children have their first dental visit by their first birthday or six months after their first teeth emerge. Regular dental visits are a part of preventive dental care, meaning that routine appointments help stop the development of future oral health issues. At Children’s Dental Specialties, our pediatric dentist office serves patients in Worcester, MA, and the surrounding areas. Dr. Daniel Moheban is proud to provide comfortable pediatric dental care to help children look forward to visiting the dentist.
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How to Prepare Kids for the Dentist
With regular home care, you can help your child get accustomed to brushing, flossing, and caring for their teeth. Seeing a pediatric dentist in Worcester as early as possible will help your child get used to and be comfortable with seeing a dentist. Talk about going to the dentist as something that’s fun instead of scary. If you’re enthusiastic, your child is more likely to be as well.
You can also play dentist before your child’s first visit! Have your child sit in a chair while you count and brush their teeth. We recommend watching videos with your kid or reading books to them about going to the dentist. When you talk about the dentist, stay positive and avoid any mention of pain or discomfort.
What Happens During My Child’s First Dental Visit?
Your child’s first dental visit is an important step toward keeping their smile healthy and building positive habits for the future. Our friendly team takes time to make the visit fun, educational, and stress-free. Here’s what you and your child can expect during the appointment:
Alleviating Dental Anxiety
When your child visits our office, we make sure that they feel as comfortable as possible. We will talk to them during their first visit about their hobbies. We’ll also answer your child’s questions and put them at ease.
Our team will ensure your child doesn’t feel any pain or discomfort during their cleaning or examination. If your child has severe dental anxiety, we can recommend dental sedation.
Full Examination and X-rays
Our team will fully examine the teeth, gums, and jaw. During an examination, we look for signs of decay like caries or cavities in the teeth, bleeding gums, or gum inflammation. We can recommend treatment for your child based on this examination.
Our office recommends X-rays at least once a year. For your child’s safety, we cover them in a lead apron before we take any imaging. X-rays help us keep track of your child’s oral development.
Dental Cleaning
Our friendly dental hygienists will begin your child’s cleaning with a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. Then, they will brush and floss your child’s teeth using flavored toothpaste. Finally, they polish the teeth. Our office may also provide fluoride to protect the tooth enamel.
Why Are Children More Prone to Cavities?
Children are more likely to get cavities for several reasons. One of the biggest is diet. any kids enjoy sweets, juice, and snacks that contain sugar. When sugar stays on the teeth, it feeds the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Kids may also have trouble brushing and flossing properly, which means plaque and food particles can stay on their teeth longer and lead to cavities.
Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, are also more delicate than adult teeth. While they have the same basic structure, the enamel is thinner. Because the enamel is thinner, it doesn’t take long for decay to reach the inner layers of the tooth, where the nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissues are located. Once decay spreads that far, it can cause pain and infection.
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First Visit FAQs
Do you have more questions for our office? We can help. Learn more about your child’s first visit to our dental office in Worcester, MA.
How long will my child’s first dental visit take?
Your child’s first dental visit usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. At this visit, we’ll check your child’s teeth and gums, look for any early signs of cavities, and clean their teeth. We’ll also talk to you about how to take care of your child’s teeth at home. If your child is very young, the visit may be shorter and more focused on getting them comfortable with the dentist.
Is my child too young for a dental check-up?
Your child should visit the dentist by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth comes in. Early visits help our dentist check for any issues, like tooth decay or problems with how their teeth are growing. Starting dental visits early sets the stage for healthy habits.
Should I schedule my child’s dental visit in the morning or the afternoon?
We recommend that you schedule your child’s dental visit in the morning if they’re younger than school age. Children are often more relaxed and less tired in the morning, which can make the visit easier and more comfortable.
If your child tends to get anxious, a morning appointment can also help avoid the stress that might come later in the day. Choose a time that works best for your child’s schedule, so they’re not rushed or hungry before the appointment.
Do I need to bring anything to my child’s first dental visit?
Yes, you should bring a few things to your child’s first dental visit. Make sure to bring your child’s medical history, including any allergies or health conditions they have. You may also want to bring your child’s insurance information if you have dental insurance. Finally, bring your child’s favorite toy or comfort item to help them feel more at ease during the visit.
What should I do if my child has a cavity or other dental problem after their first visit?
If your child has a cavity or other dental problem after their first visit, don’t worry. Our dentist will explain what needs to be done and recommend a treatment plan. For a cavity, your child may need a dental filling, which is a common and simple procedure.
If there are other issues, the dentist will provide options and help you understand what’s best for your child’s dental health. We can help you schedule any follow-up appointments as needed to address the problem and prevent it from getting worse.
Will my child get X-rays at their first dental visit?
Your child may or may not need X-rays at their first dental visit. It depends on their age, dental health, and whether the dentist needs to check for issues that can’t be seen just by looking at their teeth. X-rays are usually unnecessary for younger children unless there are specific concerns. If your child is older or has signs of tooth decay or other dental problems, our dentist might take X-rays to get a better look at their teeth and gums.
Will my child need fluoride treatment at their first dental visit?
Your child may need fluoride treatment at their first dental visit. But we’ll recommend treatment based on your child’s age and health.
If your child has a higher risk of cavities, our dentist might apply fluoride treatment to help protect their teeth. But if your child is younger and doesn’t have many teeth yet, this treatment may not be necessary right away. We’ll give you advice on the best way to protect your child’s teeth from cavities.
When can my child eat after their first dental visit?
After your child’s first dental visit, they can usually eat right away unless we say otherwise. However, if your child had a cleaning or fluoride treatment, wait at least 30 minutes before they eat or drink. This gives the fluoride time to stay on their teeth and work effectively.
Contact Children’s Dental Specialties
Even if it isn’t your child’s first visit to the dentist, you want to find a pediatric dentist. Call our dental office today at (508) 625-5534. You can also schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Dan on our website.