When Should I Bring My Young Child to a Dental Exam and Cleaning?

You know how important trips to the dentist are for your smile, but what about your child's smile? Whether or not your baby has any teeth yet, you’re probably wondering what age you should first take your child to the dentist. Health and dental organizations agree that a good rule of thumb is to schedule your child’s first visit to the dentist before they turn one or within six months of their first tooth coming in. We’re happy to treat patients of all ages at our Ayawaso dental office, serving the Greater Accra Region in Ghana. We invite you to reach out and schedule an appointment for your child. Until then, let’s look at some related questions.

What Does a First Dental Visit Look Like?

One of the most important parts of your first visit with our team is simply introducing your child to the environment. We’ll work to perform a complete exam, but we’ll never push them beyond their comfort zone. If your dentist agrees, you might both decide it’s best to hold your baby on your lap. If your child is comfortable, we’ll examine their gums, jaw, bite, and any teeth that have erupted.

Will You Clean My Child’s Teeth?

Although you probably consider teeth cleaning the most important aspect of your dental visits, that’s not the case during these initial appointments. It’s more important to start establishing a healthy relationship with the dentist and perform an exam. If they are cooperative, though, we’ll gently remove any plaque and tartar deposits on the teeth, clearly explaining every step of treatment along the way.

Will My Child Need X-Rays?

Since baby teeth fall out, it’s very rare that your dentist will recommend X-rays. Of course, if concerns arise that require imaging of your child’s teeth or jaw, we’ll discuss your options when the time comes.

Can’t I Wait Until My Child Has More Teeth?

Because baby teeth naturally fall out, we often hear parents’ reluctance to rush to the dentist. After all, it’s the adult teeth that need to be properly cared for, right? Wrong. Cavities, for example, can cause pain and difficulty eating. If decayed or damaged teeth fall out too early, it can cause surrounding teeth to shift and create a cascade of problems. Lastly, children who don’t visit the dentist until an older age are more likely to experience anxiety during their visits.

Prevention Is Key

Another important aspect of early dental visits is education. We’ll discuss the benefits of using fluoride to fight tooth decay, as well as cover proper brushing and flossing techniques. We can even recommend special products like brightly colored, flavored flossers to encourage your little one to get excited about cleaning their teeth.

Don’t Delay: Contact Our Accra Office

If your child is already one or older or they’ve had their first tooth for at least six months, reach out to our Accra team. Message us online with any questions or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you and your family establish a lifetime of healthy smiles!