It’s normal to feel apprehensive about your child’s first visit to a dental office, but don’t let it keep you from actually taking your child to one. As long as your chosen dentist in Greenwood, Indiana is one that’s trusted by the community, you should have little cause for concern about your child’s initial dental experience. Below are some tips on how to prepare and what to expect on the first appointment.

What Should You Expect on Your Child’s First Trip to a Dental Office

How to prepare

Make sure that your child has eaten and rested well around the time of the appointment. If you have some questions for the dentist, it may be helpful to write them down ahead of time so you won’t forget a single one. Most dentists ask about proof of dental and medical insurance ahead of your schedule, so be ready with information about copays and coverage. You may obtain information on these from your insurance provider.

An important part of your child’s first dental visit is the creation of his dental history—the dentist will want to know about the state of your child’s dental health as well as any medicines he might be taking. Be ready to fill out a health history form, and make a list of your child’s current medications.

What to expect

What takes place on a child’s first dental appointment depends largely on his age at the time of the appointment. Ideally, a child should first visit a dentist around his first birthday. Once the child is comfortable on the dentist’s chair, the dentist will then proceed to examine his teeth, looking for any signs of trouble.

Dental education for parents

After your child’s dental evaluation, your dentist will teach you how to properly care for your child’s gum and teeth. This includes proper brushing techniques, the right foods to eat as his teeth grows, what dental health symptoms should be a cause for concern, and when to come back for his next appointment. Be ready with your list of questions when the dentist talks to you, because he will provide you with the opportunity to ask them at the end of the appointment.

Your child’s first dental appointment can go a long way toward establishing his dental health. If your child has not yet seen a dentist, call a trusted dentist in Greenwood, IN like Dr. Richard Gillum of Gillum Dentistry and schedule the initial evaluation today.

 

Sources:

Your Child’s First Dentist Visit: What to Expect, Colgate

Your Child’s Age 1 Dental Visit, Colgate