As a parent, your child’s health is always your primary concern. Knowing whom your child’s caregivers, pediatricians and dentists are is a great wa
y to establish 
connections and foster healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Baby teeth do not last forever, so when your child’s first tooth comes in, usually between 4 and 7 months of age you will want to ensure their winning smile stays protected.
Many parents are unsure what the best age is to start taking their child to the dentist. While excessive crying during teething, inflamed or discolored gums, and abnormal eating habits may ignite concern over an emergency dentist office run-in, it is usually best to plan ahead for your child’s first routine dentist visit.
Most doctors recommend your child’s first visit to the dentist be within six-months of the emergence of their first tooth. Anywhere between ages 1-2 is the optimal time to bring your child in for their first visit, with additional six-month intervals between visits afterwards. As a rule, dentists will not start using X-rays to check for cavities and proper tooth development, until your child can tolerate it. Sometimes your child has special considerations and may need to see a pediatric dentist.
Prevention and Early Care
Did you know that even before your child starts growing their first tooth, there are certain ways to care for your child’s oral hygiene?
- Wash away harmful bacteria by wiping your child’s gums daily with a damp cloth. If your infant is not breast-feeding, be mindful of “bottle mouth,” a condition that eats away your child’s primary teeth and is often identified by discoloration.
- Establish routine daily bottle feeding times and limit the amount of time your child spends with a bottle to prevent bottle mouth and/or damage to the gums and teeth.
- Be cautious of sugary juices and milk – too much sweetness is bad for their oral development and may even cause cavities.
Along with making an appointment for your child’s first visit to the dentist, help them to develop life-long healthy habits as early as possible like brushing twice a day, flossing, and chewing food slowly.
What to Expect on Their First Visit
It is important that your child develops a familiarity with physicians and dentists. One simple way to ease the tension of your child’s first visit is to “play dentist” at home. Count teeth with your child and get them to count yours too. Make it fun and exciting. Get them comfortable and familiar with doctor’s exams. Games will help curb both your and your child’s anxiety.
The chairs and drills at a dentist’s office may be either amusing or terrifying to your child, so keep your cool when bringing your child in for the first time. Be enthusiastic in your approach.
During their first visit, it is best not to take other children along. Try to reduce stress or variables that could lead to a less than productive visit.
Dental Offices in New York
For those parents looking for a dentist’s office in Binghamton or Endwell, visit Progressive Dental. The doctors and staff at Progressive Dental “want you to feel comfortable and as stress-free as possible” when visiting any of their four convenient locations in Endwell/Binghamton, Kirkwood, Montrose or Norwich. Committed to friendly, personal service, your child is in no better hands when getting their first dental cleaning at Progressive Dental.
If you are scheduling an appointment for yourself, they have a FREE child-care program for children under the age of 13, between the hours of 7am and 5pm. With toys, books and a friendly atmosphere, your routine dental cleaning may be the perfect time to introduce your child to the Progressive dentist’s office. Click Here to book yours or your child’s appointment today!
