When Should I Bring my child In for his/her First Dentist Appointment?

As a parent, making sure your child grows up with strong and healthy teeth is very important. Doing this means you take them for a regular checkup and they follow the right diet. But, one question many new parents ask is, when is the best or perfect time to take their child for their first checkup. According to the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and dentist in Union City, the best time to take a kid for his or her first dental appointment is to be at one year of age. There are many instances in which your child may need to go to the dentist, whether for a simple checkup or some dental work. You should get an idea of when this is.

When to Schedule Baby's First Dental Checkup

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the best time to schedule your baby’s first dental office in Union City appointment is when you notice sprouts of the tooth or turns a year old. Another perfect time is when you notice a problem with their tooth growth or even a cavity already. Your child might have a higher chance of developing early tooth decay if there is a history of cavities in the family or the habit of falling asleep with a bottle.

What to Expect on Their First Visit

It is important that your child is free of tension before they visit; so make sure your child develops a familiarity with physicians and dentists. You can introduce them to a dentist in a fun way by allowing them to count your teeth while you count theirs.

Get them comfortable with doctor's exams like the chairs and drills at a dentist's office; don’t forget also to keep your cool when bringing your child in for the first time, as their first experience might be either amusing or terrifying. It is best not to take other children along during their first visit, as this may distract them.

How to Get Baby Ready for a Dental Checkup

If you’re really worried that your little one will get upset, come prepared with distractions, favorite comfort toys and lots of reassuring hugs. Unlike grownups with vivid memories of the drill, your baby has no reason to be anxious about a trip to the dentist. You may want to look at board books or picture books about dentists together or play “dentist” with a toothbrush and a stuffed animal. Even if your baby does have a meltdown mid-checkup, it’s nothing an experienced pediatric dentist hasn’t seen before.

Importance in flossing your teeth properly

Many people do not like the idea of flossing for reasons best known to them. Many people believe that taking floss and wrapping it around their index and middle fingers to look for residue food particles between their teeth can be too much of a process. However, there are easier to floss and enjoy the process, regardless of the method. So, if you are someone who doesn't understand it, or don’t like the idea of flossing it's crucial to remember why flossing is an essential part of a healthy smile according to dentist in Union City.

What is Flossing?

Firstly, flossing can be defined as the process of cleaning between the teeth, and the gum using dental floss which is like a thin filament. Dental floss is available both in string and ribbon form and is usually made of silk, nylon, or Teflon. Some of them can be waxed while some are unwaxed. For teeth with close contact with each other string floss can be used, while ribbon floss can be used for teeth with enough space in between.

Why It’s Important To Brush and Floss Your Teeth Properly

1.    Your toothbrush needs an assistant

According to the dentist in Union City, brushing can only help get rid of 65% of the teeth dirt.  So, no matter how long you brush for, it is not sufficient to clean your mouth thoroughly. Food particles get stuck in between the teeth, and your brush bristles cannot reach these tricky regions. However, it is also essential that you talk to a dentist in union city to know which flosser will work the best for you.

2.    You can be free from halitosis

Oral malodor which is the deposition of plaque and calculus in the mouth can cause halitosis. A thin build-up of biofilm bacteria can be easily caused by food debris that remain in the interdental areas of the mouth. This process results in bad breath, and you may suffer from low self-confidence and even be embarrassed to speak in public due to bad breath. You can easily get rid of halitosis by cleaning and flossing your teeth the correct way. Flossing can help eliminate the debris accumulated below the gumline.

3.    Flossing prevents gum diseases and systemic problems

Dental plaque can cause gum diseases which can make you may have bleeding from gums while brushing and bad breath in the initial stages. This issue can also lead to tooth loss, and you don’t want to lose your natural teeth. You can reduce the risk of dental and gum diseases by flossing regularly.

4.    Your dental investment is secured

Dental implant or bridge can cost you a lot, and you don’t want to spend this money twice. If you don’t brush and floss regularly and correctly, food particles can accumulate in the areas where these dental implants are. Regular flossing can help you make sure that your dental implant is safe.