Parents are usually apprehensive or rather unaware of the age a child should begin visiting a dentist. A 3-years old child is mature enough to visit a dentist. First visits are all about examining the progress of the development of permanent teeth or to identify signs of decay using X-rays. This is accompanied by some manual examination and minimal treatment.
During the first visit, we ensure that your child is consuming adequate amounts of fluoride and apply topical fluoride if necessary. Also, we brief you with the appropriate oral hygiene routine required for your child.
Instead of telling them they are visiting a doctor, talk to them as if going for a haircut. Lesser apprehensions and fear from your side would mean equally relaxed reactions from them.
- Show them the clinic around before taking them for the check-up.
- Read your kid books or stories about dental visits.
- Tell them the purpose of visiting a dentist and how it is a good thing.
- Share some funny, interesting and happy experiences of your dental visits as a child or maybe as an adult.
During the first visit of your child, the doctor may:
- Comprehensively evaluate their mouth, teeth and gums.
- Review undesirable behaviours like sucking thumb or fingers.
- Examine the level and need of fluoride.
- Explain and teach the kid about healthy oral hygiene methods.
- Detail the need of regular visits.
The eating and lifestyle habits of children in the modern world have changed drastically. This has given rise to tooth decay. That is why we help your children take the preventive path. We use dental sealants which are space-age plastics. When fixed to the chewing surface portion of your child’s teeth, it will safeguard them from decaying.
Cavities are usually a result of sugar-rich foods and inadequate oral cleaning. The best way out is to minimise the sugar intake of your child and motivate them to brush regularly.
Chewing for longer periods can also give rise to cavities. Food ingestion is followed by an acidic reaction in the mouth which helps sugar digestion. Chewing for a long time prolongs this reaction and can lead to tooth damage and cavities.
- Schedule their meals to reduce the number of meals and snacks.
- Motivate them to follow proper oral hygiene routines.
- Regulate their habit of consuming sweet drinks.
- Skip sticky foods for your child.
- Make your kid habituated to nutritious snacks.
At about the age of 6-8 months, babies have their first teeth, the two bottom front ones. Then come in line the 4 upper front teeth. Post this, till about 2.5 years of your baby’s age, all the 20 teeth grow in pairs of two.
By 5-6 years, the baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth at different paces. Though baby teeth won’t stay with your child forever, it is important to maintain their health and hygiene because they create the canvas for permanent teeth and help him/her in chewing, biting, speaking, etc.
