Child Dentistry: All You Need to Know

Child Dentistry: All You Need to Know

May 16, 2019

Pediatric dentistry is highly critical, as the condition of your child’s dental health will lay a foundation for their healthy smiles and their well-being going forward. Therefore, it’s essential that you take your child to see a dentist by the age of one or when their first tooth starts to emerge from their gums.

What happens at the first dental visit?

During the first visit at the children dentistry office, the dentist will ask questions about your baby’s health and their birth. The first dental visit usually involves little-to-no treatment at all. Instead, the dentist will focus on examining the dental and oral health of the child. The parents are allowed to be in the examination room to keep their child calm and relaxed.

Each dentist has their own tricks to keep their patients calm throughout the overall process of dental care, which is an integral part of a dentist’s job. This is particularly important for babies as they aren’t yet capable of understanding what is being done to them. Many babies kick, scream, and cry during the process. This can put your little one at risk, so it’s vital that the parents and dentist work together to ensure a smooth and safe process with their infants, children, and babies.

Once the examination is complete, the dentist will inform the parents of any special health care concerns they should be aware of and how to take care of the problem. For example, they may suggest what you can do to prevent cavities, how to supply your child with sufficient fluoride, and how to get rid of harmful oral habits such as thumb sucking and harsh lip sucking. The dentist may also recommend the best time to schedule the next visit.

How often should a child visit the dentist?

Ideally, everyone should schedule an appointment with their dentist every six months for proper preventative dental care. That being said, your child may benefit from having more frequent visits at first. It’s crucial that you take your child to see the dentist as early as possible so that they can acclimate to the atmosphere in the dental office as soon as possible. You should provide the dentist with all the medical information necessary to ensure that your baby gets the best oral care possible.

When can a child receive an X-ray exam?

X-ray technology has advanced significantly over the past decade, so the risk of radiation exposure is minuscule to non-existent with the tools we have today. Therefore, there’s no hard limit as to when a child can get an x-ray examination. Typically, a child will get their first x-ray at around the age of five or six, as that is when their first permanent teeth are starting to come through. An x-ray examination will allow the dentist to see the development of your child’s teeth. This makes it possible for them to suggest the best orthodontics or dental treatment that can guarantee a healthy set of teeth for your child.

Searching for a new child dentistry office experienced in treating children? If you’re looking for a professional dental clinic in Edmonton, Alberta, Kensington Dental Clinic is your best option for quality dental care. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

Call Now Book Appointment
Click to listen highlighted text!