West Point Family Dental
Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist
The first regular dental visit should be right after your child’s first birthday. This initial visit is usually short and involves minimal treatment. We might ask you to hold your child during the exam or wait in the reception area so your child can start building a relationship with the dentist.
We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums, and may take X-rays to check for decay and see how the permanent teeth are developing under the gums. We might also clean your child’s teeth and apply fluoride to protect them from decay. We’ll review how to care for your child’s teeth at home.
What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?
We often get this question. We suggest preparing your child in a similar way to how you would before their first haircut or shopping trip. Your child might react to the visit in ways you don’t expect.
Here are some tips for the first visit:
- Take your child for a “preview” of the office.
- Read books about visiting the dentist.
- Explain what the dentist will do during the visit.
- Talk positively about your own dental experiences.
Preventative Care
During the first visit, the dentist will:
- Examine your child’s mouth, teeth, and gums.
- Look for habits like thumb sucking.
- Check if fluoride is needed.
- Teach you how to clean your child’s teeth and gums.
- Suggest a schedule for regular visits.
What about preventive care?
Tooth decay doesn’t have to be a given for children. We focus on preventive care at our office. We use advanced dental sealants to protect your child’s teeth. These are special plastics applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth that are prone to decay. This helps set up your child’s good oral health for life.
Cavity Prevention
Cavities are often caused by a diet high in sugary foods and insufficient brushing. Limiting sugar and brushing regularly helps. The longer food residue stays on your child’s teeth, the higher the chance of cavities.
Every time someone eats, acid forms in the mouth as bacteria digest sugars. This acid can damage teeth for about 20 minutes. Thicker saliva, which is common with high-carb and sugary diets, doesn’t wash away food and acid as effectively as thinner saliva.
Tips for Preventing Cavities:
- Limit meal and snack frequency.
- Encourage brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
- Watch what your child drinks.
- Avoid sticky foods.
- Make treats part of meals.
- Choose nutritious snacks.
The first baby teeth usually appear around 6-8 months old, starting with the two bottom front teeth. Next come the four upper front teeth, followed by the rest of the baby teeth in pairs until about 2 1/2 years old.
By age 2 1/2, your child should have all 20 baby teeth. Permanent teeth will start coming in between ages 5 and 6, replacing some baby teeth. It’s normal for teeth to come in a bit early or late.
Baby teeth are important as they hold space for permanent teeth and are essential for chewing, biting, speech, and appearance. Maintaining a healthy diet and daily hygiene is key to keeping them healthy.
SPECIALIZING IN EXCELLENT CARE
Located in West Point, MS, also serving the communities of
Brandon MS • Flowood MS • Richland MS
- Office Location
26652 East Main Street
West Point MS 39773
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