Good dental health starts with good habits from a young age. These include good oral hygiene at home but also regular checks at the dentist.
When is a good age for a child to have their first dental check up?
The recommendation is to have their first visit when the first teeth start to appear or by the age of 1, whichever happens first.
What can you expect on your child’s first dentist visit?
The dentist will try to examine the inside of the child’s mouth to make sure the soft tissues, gums and teeth are healthy.
It is not expected that young children under 3 years of age can sit still in the dental chair on their own. For younger ones between 6- 18 months old, a technique known as the knee to knee examination (as shown in the picture below) is usually used. The child is seated in the parent’s lap facing them and leans back over the dentist’s lap. The child can then be examined whilst maintaining eye contact with the parent. For older children still under 4 years old, the dentist will examine the child while they are seated on their parent’s lap.
It is normal for a child this young to put up resistance during an oral examination and they might even start crying. The parent can help by gently holding onto each side of the child’s head to prevent them from moving while the dentist examines their mouth. Bringing the toothbrush they use at home can help. The parent can go through the motions of trying to clean the child’s teeth which will induce them to open their mouth and allow the dentist to have a look.
The dentist can also provide advice about
- Tooth friendly foods and drinks
- Brushing your child’s teeth
- How much and what toothpaste to use
- What changes occur in the mouth as the child grows
How can you prepare your child for a visit to the dentist?
• Roleplay: role play dentist at home, count your child’s teeth, or read positive dental story books.
• Be positive about seeing the dentist.
• Do not tell your child to be brave, this means there is something to be scared of.
• Do not tell stories about your negative experiences, or use words like ‘pull’, ‘needle’, or ‘drill’.
• Do not use dental visits as a threat or punishment for bad behaviour.
What happens if your child needs dental treatment?
If more complex dental treatment, such as fillings or extractions, is needed, it might not be possible for the dentist to get a child under 12 to cooperate in the dental chair. In these situations, it is preferable for the child to see a specialist paediatric dentist. The paediatric dentist can carry out the procedures while the child is under sedation, for a more comfortable experience.
If you have concerns about your child’s teeth, contact us for an appointment at the Melbourne Smile Clinic, your dentist in Northcote. We will ensure that your child’s first visit is comfortable and will refer you to the appropriate paediatric specialist if deemed necessary.
Located in Melbourne Inner North, The Melbourne Smile Clinic is your dentist for Northcote, Thorbury, Fairfield, Westgarth, Clifton Hill, Preston and surrounding suburbs.
For more information or for an appointment, contact us on 9078 4471 or send us a message here