Let Your Pediatric Dentist in Birmingham Give You Confidence

It may be surprising to hear your child’s first dental visit needs to be by their first birthday, but retaining their oral health and making them as comfortable early is imperative to making future visits easier. The key is to tell your child what to expect before the visit begins and show them you’re there if they need you. That’s why we want to give you a list of what to expect while you visit and how to take better care of your child’s oral health.

It’s especially important since more children are seeing cavities at a young age. According to the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, 1 in 4 children in the United States has had at least one cavity by the age of 4. Many kids have been known to get cavities as early as age 2 as well, but by taking the necessary steps with your pediatric dentist in Birmingham, your child’s mouth will be healthy from day one.

Expectations For Your Infant’s First Visit

Know going into the office that any questions your child has will be answered in significant detail. During the dental exam, your child will remain in your lap so they feel more secure.  After the dentist finishes the examination, they’ll discuss several ways to maintain your child’s health, including:

• A preventative home care program that includes, brushing, flossing, diet, and proper fluoride use
• How to reduce tooth decay
• The latest facts on thumb sucking and pacifier habits
• And how to prevent mouth and teeth injuries during their ongoing development

What To Expect For Your Child’s First Non-Infant Visit

The first visit for your child should be thorough and will most likely include:

• A dental examination
• An orthodontic and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) evaluation, to determine early signs of crooked teeth or locking of the jaw (the sooner a dentist discovers any signs the better)
• A decay examination
• X-rays

Your child will also be able to participate in dental prophylaxis and fluoride treatment for additional disease prevention.

Why Building Trust Early Matters Into Adulthood

Even if your child’s first experience with their dentist was a positive one, it’s important to retain that comfortability and trust throughout their younger years. If your child has any reason to fear the dentist, the fear could permeate into their adult life. Avoid using terms that might provoke unnecessary fear, such as “needle” or “drill.” Just like when you visit your general practitioner, the key is to build trust early on and show you are there for them every step of the way.

Your child deserves the best dental care early. Don’t hesitate to make their future and their smile brighter.

About the Author

Dr. Angelica R. Rohner earned her undergraduate degree in early childhood development and education and taught special education for two years. After realizing her passion for helping children, she earned her D.M.D. degree at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry followed by a two-year internship/residency program in Pediatric Dentistry at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. There she received her advanced degree in Pediatric Dentistry. To learn more about first-day expectations and Dr. Rohner’s practice, contact her at (205) 870 0892 or visit her website.