Your Child’s First Dental Cleaning: What to Expect

Beginning with the eruption of your kid's first tooth, you should start taking them in to visit the dentist twice each year. Here, our Dartmouth dentists explain what you can expect from your child's first dental 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.

Because of this, the initial cleaning will be performed during the toddler years when your kid is between the ages of 12 and 16 months. During this period, your child's dentist will be able to detect and remove plaque and tartar buildup before they become a more serious problem. 

Preparing Your Child for Their First Dental Cleaning

It's important to spend some time talking with your child about what will take place before the first cleaning visit happens. Talk to children about the significance of keeping their teeth healthy, and describe what the dentist will do in language that is suitable for their age and stage of development.

You might want to try and keep it basic. Providing too many details may cause your youngster to get concerned. 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 or scared of going to the dentist, try to avoid using unpleasant words or phrases around them. Even if you do use softer language to describe the dental visit, certain words commonly used to describe discomfort may stick in your child's mind like shot, pinch, and needle.

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.

During the Appointment

We encourage parents to get in touch with us ahead of time in order to tell us a little bit about their child's personality. Do they have a tendency to be afraid or push back when they enter an unknown situation? Do they have any attachments or developmental concerns that we should be made aware of and address during their 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 beginning of the session, we will inspect your child's teeth, jaws, gums, and bite to ensure that they are in good health.

In addition, we will use specialized devices to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, exactly like we do with adult patients.

We will give some recommendations for correct brushing and flossing techniques. Whether or not your child brushes and flosses their own teeth or you do it for the, it can't hurt to get a refresher on the best practices. 

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.

Is it time for your child's first dental cleaning? Contact our Dartmouth dentists for an appointment today!