What to Expect from Your Infant’s First Oral Health Exam at Dentist’s in Greensboro, NC

An infant’s first oral health exam will take place shortly after their first tooth comes in or after their first birthday. Dental examinations for an infant should be a relatively easy process and is meant to check their developing oral health as well as to provide education for parents. Dr. Sona Isharani and the staff at Triad Pediatric Dentistry welcome you to bring your child in for compassionate and safe care in Greensboro, NC.

The First Visit

One of the main goals of your child’s first oral health exam is for them to gain a level of comfort with the dentist. Since the recommended age of a first oral exam is around the age of one, gaining this comfort early will help the routine dental visit (and even those which are not routine) feel ordinary and not something to be anxious about or fear. The first exam will last from half an hour to 45 minutes and will include a complete examination of your child’s gums, teeth, jaw, bite and oral tissues. These will be checked for both growth and development and a cleaning may be performed if necessary. The dentist will provide education on proper at-home oral health care including brushing and flossing techniques.

Keeping the Dentist Informed and Prepared

At your child’s first visit, your dentist will require a complete health history. If your child is older and their first visit is due to a cavity, make sure and let the dentist know if your child has a tendency to be stubborn or if they are fearful or anxious about the visit. As you will be in the room with your child and know their tendencies, let your dentist know if your child is about to respond in a particular way which may make treatment difficult.

Treating your child’s oral health seriously from the beginning is important to make sure they get off to a great start. Checkups from an early age will make sure that seeing a dentist is just as normal as seeing their pediatrician and can go a long way in removing the fear and anxiety that can often accompany dental visits for children who don’t see the dentist for the first time until a later age. If you are looking for a dentist that will treat your child with the care and safety they need, please call Triad Pediatric Dentistry in Greensboro, NC at (336) 804-8668 to schedule an appointment.