As soon as teeth develop and start to come up from the gums, it is time to think about brushing them. Even babies will need to have their teeth cleansed on a regular basis, though the method of doing so is obviously different. As your child begins to handle more of his or her day to day care, such as dressing themselves, brushing their hair, and even going potty, it is time to start talking about brushing your teeth. Don’t worry, though. Your dentist can help.

Schedule That First Dental Exam

Most babies do not need regular dentist checkups, but children who have developed several teeth or who are at the age of 2 or older should have a routine visit. If you have any concerns about the health of your child’s teeth, you should also come in sooner. That first appointment will be an important experience for your child. And, it is important for you to provide your child with proper understanding of what is going to happen.

Expect your child it sit down and talk to the dentist. Be sure you’ve selected someone that you know and trust, as well as someone that specializes in pediatric care.

Your child may have x-rays depending on age. Talk to your child about what x-rays are. They are simply special pictures of the teeth.

Talk about how the dentist is going to look over the teeth and count them. You will want to talk about how the dentist will use a special instrument to tap on the tooth to count it. It does not hurt them.

Then, work on brushing. Your dentist can help you and your child to perfect these skills. Talk to your dentist about how to properly brush at the child’s age. In addition, your child may be able to use a model in the office to see how brushing should happen. Even young children can begin to understand the value of brushing, too. Talk about how important it is to remove debris from the teeth to keep them white and shiny.

There are many reasons to teach your child to brush early, but the most important reason is that habits developed at a young age are most likely to be maintained throughout their lives. When they do not see brushing as a chore, they are less likely to struggle with it.

Schedule a consultation today at 718-535-1196!