Categories: Family Dentist

Guide to Your First Dental Cleaning With Your Family Dentist

Seeing a family dentist at least two times a year is one of the main ways to keep teeth healthy and gums in good condition. Every six months, the dentist can check to ensure there are no signs of gum disease, cavities, tooth decay, or other implications of compromised oral health. For parents, it is important to understand when children can attend an initial cleaning to ensure teeth are coming in properly and how to prepare them for the appointment.

A child’s first dental cleaning

Children can usually see a dentist as soon as baby teeth have emerged. Family dentists often focus on patients of all ages, and parents can ask a dentist about the right time to bring children in for a first visit. Discussing the visit can give parents a guide on what to expect and determine if a child is ready to see a dentist.

Preparation

Dental offices have a reputation for causing stress and anxiety in patients, especially children. Fortunately, children who see the dentist sooner in life are more likely to feel comfortable around a dentist, especially one they have an established relationship with. To prepare for that first appointment, parents should bring children along to their dental cleanings so that children can observe and experience it with a familiar figure. Reading books about going to the dentist and talking about what to expect can help familiarize children with dental visits as well.

First visit

Parents may be asked to sit with a child in the dental chair or to wait in the reception room while the child and dentist become acquainted. During the visit, the dentist will gently check the child’s mouth, including the teeth and gums. A dentist may look for signs of inadequate amounts of fluoride (which contribute to teeth whiteness), decay from sugary or carbohydrate foods, and other problems, such as tooth movement from thumb sucking. The entire appointment should not last long since most young children can only sit still for short periods of time. At the end of the visit, the dentist may demonstrate how to properly brush and tell children why it is important to maintain good oral hygiene.

Home care

Cavities are the most common issue dentists encounter with children, usually because of the consumption of sugary foods and drinks. A dentist may advise parents to monitor a child’s diet and limit the amount of sugar a child is permitted to eat. Showing and encouraging children to brush is also essential in preventing cavities.

Future visits

After the first visit, the dentist will suggest that another appointment be scheduled six months later. Unless otherwise directed, children can follow the same schedule as adults by visiting the dentist twice a year.

Conclusion

Seeing a family dentist biannually is one part of the strategy for preventing poor oral health. Regular appointments, along with keeping up on brushing and flossing, can establish good habits in children that can be used throughout life.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smilesbydesignhuntsville.com or call Smiles by Design, PC at (256) 660-3233 for an appointment in our Huntsville office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

How Does A Dental Implant Compare To Other Tooth Replacement Options?

Advances in dentistry have made it possible to replace missing teeth with dental implants that are more similar to natural teeth than other teeth replacement options. Many people lose teeth due to gum disease, decay, and injury. Losing teeth often lead to numerous negative consequences. It can affect your smile, weaken your jawbone, and alter…

Cleaning Braces Vs Cleaning Invisalign Aligners

There are many benefits to choosing Invisalign® clear aligners over metal braces for teeth straightening, including the ease of cleaning and routine maintenance. While clear aligners are considered more aesthetically pleasing than traditional braces, failing to take proper care of the trays can lead to discoloration or a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. Fortunately,…

After Invisalign Treatment: Wearing A Tray At Night

In recent years, Invisalign® has become increasingly popular to straighten misaligned teeth. There are many benefits of this type of orthodontic treatment over traditional braces. Patients can remove the aligners to brush and floss the teeth, making oral hygiene measures much easier. Treatment time is often shorter, and the clear trays are not as noticeable…

Safety Of Teeth Whitening

Many people undergo teeth whitening procedures to make their smile look healthier and to increase their self-esteem. Although this procedure is largely painless unless you have very sensitive teeth, it is common to question the safety of products used to whiten your teeth. The safety of whitening procedures depends on many factors. Here are some common…

Smiles by Design, PC

Share
Published by
Smiles by Design, PC

Recent Posts

How Does a Dental Implant Compare to Other Tooth Replacement Options?

Advances in dentistry have made it possible to replace missing teeth with dental implants that…

1 week ago

Cleaning Braces vs Cleaning Invisalign Aligners

There are many benefits to choosing Invisalign® clear aligners over metal braces for teeth straightening,…

1 week ago

After Invisalign Treatment: Wearing a Tray at Night

In recent years, Invisalign® has become increasingly popular to straighten misaligned teeth. There are many…

2 weeks ago

Safety of Teeth Whitening

Many people undergo teeth whitening procedures to make their smile look healthier and to increase…

3 weeks ago

How Your Custom Invisalign Aligners Are Designed

Patients who qualify for and choose the Invisalign® system of teeth straightening over braces receive…

3 weeks ago

Invisalign Is Discreet Compared to Braces

Invisalign® dental aligners are an excellent option for patients who want to avoid the look…

4 weeks ago