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When To Make the First Dentist Appointment for Your Baby
Children need adults to help teach them how to take care of their teeth. This kind of learning begins early, and the sooner a parent or guardian starts caring for their child’s teeth, the sooner the child will pick up healthy dental habits.
Dental care begins at home. Before a child’s first tooth erupts, parents can use a damp cloth to gently wipe off the baby’s gums or use a gum massager, usually made of silicone. Once the first tooth emerges, a soft bristled toothbrush should be used to clean the young tooth and those that follow with a baby-safe toothpaste.
Once oral care begins at home, a parent should be looking into finding a dentist for their child. According to the ADA (American Dental Association) a baby’s first dentist appointment should be scheduled once their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday.
Dental visits will help ensure a child is not only comfortable at the dentist, but that good oral hygiene is practiced early on in their life, which increases the likelihood they will continue these good practices in the future.
What Will the Appointment Include?
When you bring your child in for their first dental appointment at Windy City Family Dental, you can expect a welcoming environment and staff who have experience working with children. Our team is comfortable with fussy babies, nervous children, and any new patients visiting our practice.
At your child’s first appointment, a simple exam will be completed, followed by daily oral care instructions. Bringing an infant in for their first appointment provides the parent or guardian with valuable information that starts the child on a path to years of good oral health.
Some parents worry their child will be left feeling frightened after their first experience at a Chicago family dentist, but the more relaxed a parent behaves about the situation, the better off the child will be. Babies and young kids pick up on their parents’ emotions, so it is important to be calm before and during the appointment. Also, avoid mentioning tools and procedures that may induce anxiety in children, such as drills, needles, cavity fillings, etc.
Finding a reliable family dentist near River North can be difficult, but when you call on Windy City Family Dental, you can rest assured that you and your family are in good hands.
Infant Dental Care in Chicago
Windy City Family Dental offers patients of all ages a wide variety of services, including cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, preventative care, emergency services, and dental cleanings in River North. Contact us to set up your baby’s first dentist appointment today.
