As a baby, your little one probably has more pictures than you know what to do with. There are many milestones to capture: a first tooth, a first step, and a first birthday have all been documented. Your family dentist in Mankato, Dr. James Kalina, would like to recommend another first that we think is definitely worth taking a picture—your child’s first dentist appointment!
Your child’s very first dental visit marks the beginning of a lifetime of good oral health. Now THAT is a milestone to document! Read on to learn more about this most important visit for your child.
When Should You First Bring Your Child to Visit the Dentist?
Dentists and pediatricians alike recommend that your child see the dentist by the time he or she is one year old or by the time the very first tooth breaks through their precious little gums. At the very latest, Dr. Kalina likes to see children by the time they are two or three years old to kick off a friendly dentist-patient relationship with them early on.
Why Does My Child Need to See the Dentist?
Some people mistakenly believe that baby teeth are not important because they will ultimately fall out. Yes, it is true they will fall out and be replaced with permanent adult teeth. However, baby teeth play a critical role in laying the foundation for those permanent teeth. First of all, they are essential in helping your child to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Your child will be better equipped to learn to speak clearly with a full set of healthy baby teeth. And lastly….baby teeth help maintain the space needed for the much larger adult teeth to erupt correctly.
What Can You Expect at Your Child’s First Dental Visit?
No two children are alike. They all have unique personalities, experiences, and potential fears. Therefore, the first visit will be customized to your child’s specific needs and tolerance levels. The goal for this visit is three-fold:
- Create a comfortable and positive environment so your child has the best possible experience. This will set the stage for future visits. A positive (and even fun) experience here will have the child looking forward to the next visit rather than being fearful.
- Assess the child’s current health condition. This may be a visual evaluation by Dr. Kalina, or could include a full professional cleaning, depending on the child’s comfort level.
- Advise parents (and the child) on how best to care for those precious teeth for years to come.
As mentioned above, your child’s first dental appointment is MOST important and will help your little one begin the oral health journey on the right foot.
About Our Office
If it’s time for your child to see the dentist in Mankato, then you should contact the office of Dr. James Kalina. Our office takes pride in providing excellent dental care for all of our patients—no matter what age! In fact, we love seeing the smallest members of families in our office because we know that we have a chance to provide a great experience for them to begin properly taking care of their smiles. Call us today!
