My First Dental Visit

My First Dental Visit When we ask this question, when is your first dental visit? Many among us would say this, ‘My first dental visit was when I was 24 years old, few weeks before my wedding date for brightening my smile’.

‘My first dental visit was when I suffered from severe, intolerable tooth pain’. ‘I visited dental clinic at the age of 65, when I lost all my teeth and it was difficult to eat food’.

Most of the times, we don’t visit dental clinic unless there is a driving factor like tooth pain, bleeding gums, missing teeth or misaligned teeth or any other. It is recommended that the first dental visit is by the age of 1 or within 6 months after his or her first tooth comes in. At this age, kids may have 4 to 6 teeth or some have even less teeth. https://www.fmsdental.com/

Figure showing first dental visit by the first birthday.

During the first dental visit, Dentist will examine the existing teeth, the teething pattern, discuss about the developmental milestones, assess the need for fluoride and educate parents about oral health care basics for child like how to clean the kid’s teeth properly after every feeding, guidance on proper nutrition, about

oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking) or usage of pacifier and its effects on the child teeth.

Figure showing kids with pacifier and habit of thumb sucking.

Dentist also evaluates the complete medical and health information regarding the child during the first dental visit and assesses the possible dental conditions correlating to it if any.

The parent’s role in taking care of their child’s teeth is highly important. Good dental health practices should begin at home, when the first tooth erupts and continued throughout adult life. Lack of sufficient oral care during early age would result in various dental problems in future.

Figure showing good dental health practices.

Dentists advise to visit dental clinic every 6 months once to maintain good dental health and address any changes or conditions of the teeth or gums at the earliest to prevent further damage.

Prevention is always better than cure. Being proactive about your child’s dental health can preserve his or her smile healthy for lifetime. https://www.fmsdental.com/preventive-dentaltherapy/