Your Child’s First Visit
Your child looks up to you and sees you as a role model, whether you believe you are one or not. This includes all aspects of your life, and you may find them imitating your mannerism, habits, and even your smile and your life! This extends even to how they approach their oral health, which is why it is so important to establish good oral habits early on in life.
While we understand that many people have a very true and legitimate fear of coming to see us – a condition known as dentophobia – you can help prevent it by teaching your child early on how important it is to see us and introducing us to them early on. Preparing your child for their first visit with us here at Sharokina Eshaghi, DMD can prime them to have a positive experience when they are in our exam chair and help them to look forward to all dental appointments that they will have with us in the future!
Getting Your Little One Ready for Their First Visit with Us
You may be wondering a few things about your child’s first visit with us. Common questions that we field from parents include what to expect during their child’s first dental exam and how early should they plan on bringing their child in for an appointment. You should schedule your child’s first appointment right around their first birthday, or when they start to get their first primary (baby) tooth.
Seeing us can help us work with your child to teach them good oral health habits that will benefit them for the rest of their life. It can also prevent problems that begin in the mouth that can cause problems later on in life, such as bite issues causing speech impediments and developmental issues that can occur from poor bite alignment and unhealthy teeth. Before you bring your child in for their first appointment, it is important that you tell them what to expect during their first dental exam. This should be presented to them in a friendly, upbeat manner to help them get excited about coming in.
During their first dental appointment with us, we will start by asking you questions about any concerns you may have. This could include issues that you have noticed about their teeth or if they have any habits that concern you (such as sucking on their thumb). We will then take a look inside your child’s mouth to determine if they have any problems with their teeth or gums, such as tooth decay or periodontal disease. If we do find any areas of concern, we will discuss them with you so that we can come up with a treatment plan to help them have their best oral health. We will also brush and floss your child’s teeth, if applicable.
How We Can Help
To help keep this appointment running smoothly, do not schedule it during your child’s naptime. Make sure they are well-fed and not hungry beforehand, so plan on it shortly after mealtime. If they have teeth, make sure they do brush and floss beforehand. Do not give them snacks during their appointment, either, as they can stick to their teeth and make it hard to examine their mouth.
Whether you are ready to schedule your child’s first dental appointment with us, or they have already established patients with us here at Sharokina Eshaghi, DMD, please give us a call at (209) 526-4884 to set up an appointment for them with us!
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