PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR THE FIRST EXAM
As you might know, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that you should take your child to the dentist when the first tooth erupts or by their first birthday, whichever comes first.
At World Pediatric Dental, we can perform a knee-to-knee exam for babies to help put them at ease during their first dentist visits. But before the big day, here’s how you can prepare yourself and your child for the first exam!
- During the knee-to-knee exam, you will hold your child in your lap with their head in the doctor’s lap. Practice holding your child like this so they will be used to this position during the exam.
- Clean your child’s mouth and gums with a wash cloth or infant toothbrush. This will give them some practice with having another person’s hands cleaning their teeth.
- Stay calm. Babies can be unpredictable, and even the most prepared may get upset and cry. If you show that you’re stressed when your child cries during the exam, it can make it harder to calm them down. Our job is to help you and your child relax and be as comfortable as possible throughout the exam.
If this is something you are interested in for your young child, please contact us to set up their first dental exam. We would love to help ease your mind about taking your baby to the dentist and help keep you informed while your baby’s teeth develop. The more you know and can monitor about your baby’s teeth the healthier oral and overall health your child will have. Please call our office at (210) 888-0700 if you have any other questions regarding your child’s first exam. A team member would be happy to talk with you about preparing for the first exam and what to expect.