Your Child’s First Dental Cleaning: What to Expect

Starting when your child's first tooth starts to erupt, you should start bringing them to the dentist two times a year. Today, our Stayner dentists share what you can anticipate at your child's first dental hygiene cleaning.

In spite of the fact that your child will begin to visit the dentist on a regular basis around the age of one, the first dental cleaning will most likely take place a little later, once the bulk of the baby teeth has emerged.

For this reason, the initial cleaning is typically performed during the toddler years, when the kid is between the ages of 12 and 36 months. It is at this period that your child's dentist will be able to detect and remove plaque and tartar buildup before they become a serious problem.

How to Prepare for Your Child's First Dental Cleaning

Before their appointment, it's essential to talk to your child about what they can expect and what will occur. Speak to your children about the importance of keeping their mouths healthy and teeth clean. Also, explain to them what the dentist will do using a language that is suitable for their age and stage of development.

You may want to keep it as simple and basic as possible because giving them too many details could make them worried. Most of the time, we recommend that parents say something along the lines of this:

"The dentist is going to look at your teeth, count them, and make sure they are healthy and strong. The dentist’s name is Dr. Doctor. They are really nice!"

If your child is already worried about going to the dentist, try to avoid using unpleasant words and phrases around him or her. However, even if you use softer language to describe the discomfort, such as terms like "not too bad" or "only a little," words such as shot, pinch, and needle are likely to stick in the mind of your child.

If dentist appointments are a source of worry for you, try not to express your feelings to your kid during the session. When it comes to responding to new experiences, they look to you for direction. If you appear to be concerned, they will be as well.

At Your Child's Appointment

We recommend talking to your Stayner dentist in advance about your child's personality. Do they have a habit of getting afraid or being rebellious when they encounter unknown situations? Does your kid have any developmental or attachment concerns that we should know about and address at the appointment?

The more information we have, the more we will be able to cater to your child's individual requirements and ensure that they receive the care that they require.

At the start of the session, we will examine your child's bite, gums, teeth, and jaws to make sure they are healthy.

On top of this, we'll use specialized devices to clean tartar and plaque off of the teeth, just as we do with adult patients.

We will present recommendations for correct brushing and flossing techniques. Whether your child washes and flosses their own teeth or you still do it for them, it never hurts to get a refresher course on the subject.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have concerning your child's oral health or any impending dental treatments during the visit.

Following the completion of the exam and cleaning, we will schedule any required follow-up visits. Also, if you like, we may schedule the next cleaning and checkup session sooner if necessary.

Contact our Stayner dentists today and schedule an appointment if it is time for your child to have their first dental cleaning.