Every parent wants to give his or her child the best start in life. When it comes to oral health, this process starts early. Even before your child has his or her first tooth, you should be sure to gently clean any debris from his or her mouth with a damp washcloth every day.

Teeth typically start erupting between six and twelve months although it varies greatly. As soon as your baby’s teeth start coming in, they’re vulnerable to decay. Be sure to gently brush your baby’s teeth with non-fluoride toothpaste every day. Only switch to a fluoride toothpaste when your child is old enough to spit reliably after brushing. Even though these won’t be your child’s adult teeth, proper oral health is still essential to prevent disease, to help your child’s jaw grow correctly and to help your child learn to speak.

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?
Brushing can only do so much when it comes to tooth decay, unfortunately. In fact, the real culprits that cause cavities aren’t so much the food stuck to the teeth as bacteria that are attracted to the food. If your child sucks on a pacifier (or a thumb when he or she is older), this not only puts stress on your child’s shifting teeth through the sucking action, it can also introduce a lot of bacteria that were on a pacifier or your child’s hand into his or her mouth. Taking your child to the dentist early and regularly is essential for proper oral health.

Ideally, you should bring your child in to visit the dentist as soon as his or her first tooth erupts. You should certainly not wait longer than your child’s first birthday. His or her teeth should be checked so any potential problems with decay or how they’re developing can be identified early. The essential rule is that your child’s first visit to the dentist should happen well before your child requires any dental work.

What should I expect from my first visit?
Unless there’s a problem with your child’s teeth or jaw, early visits to the dentist are all about prevention. Parents play a key role in preventing oral health problems. You’re your child’s role model and you should do everything you can to set good examples for them to follow, including when it comes to oral health.

Besides a thorough examination, when you go to your child’s first visit to a dentist in Edmonton, he or she will guide you through the steps you can take to make sure your child’s oral health is as good as it can be. At Axis Dental Clinic, we care about family dentistry. Good preventative care can spare your child needless pain and save you money in expensive dental procedures in the future. Contact our clinic in Edmonton today to find out how we can help you and your children.