There are many milestones of development that your child will reach by their first year of life. Their growth at this age can be remarkable, and it can be exciting to see them go through these changes. One change of note is the arrival of their first tooth. As exciting as it can be to see the tooth appear, this creates a new concern for the infant – keeping them safe from dental decay. While your daily care will be important for keeping their newly-arrived teeth safe, you are not the only one who can protect their developing smile. Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office welcomes babies for an introductory dental visit within six months of their first tooth’s arrival, or by their first birthday. This is a chance to introduce them to a new environment and person in their life, which can help to make future visits easier.
The Right First Impression Can Make The Dentist’s Office Feel Comfortable
While an initial appointment focuses less on the kind of care that children eventually come to enjoy during pediatric dental visits, it will be important. During their first evaluation, your dentist can check to see where they are in terms of development. In addition to this, they can take care to make your baby feel comfortable and secure in a new place. Making a good first impression will help make future visits easier, and it can smooth the transition into visits that involve more traditional preventive dental care.
Caring For Your Baby’s First Teeth Between Visits
In addition to checking on your baby’s growth, your dentist can talk with you about the measures you should take to protect their teeth against bacteria. A child’s toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste should be used twice a day to gently clean their smile. Limit the toothpaste to a quantity that is roughly the size of a grain of rice. Limiting their exposure to fluoride at this early age prevents issues with fluorosis, which can affect the color of teeth.
Our Practice Can Take Care Of Everyone In Your Family!
Having an all-ages dental practice to visit makes arranging everyone’s care easier. After all, you can schedule everyone’s appointments together and have services provided in one convenient place! Our practice is prepared to help adults stay on top of their oral health needs, just as we are prepared to give our youngest patients the right introduction to dental care. During your visits, we can clear away any tartar deposits that are present, and alert you to problems that demand restorative dental work.
Bring Your Baby For Their First Dental Appointment At Dental Impressions!
Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office is proud to provide quality dental care to patients of all ages. If you would like to learn more, or if you wish to set an appointment, contact Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230.
