Children’s baby teeth play an integral role in the health of their permanent teeth. With regular checkups and cleanings, you can not only help prevent tooth decay and gum disease in your children, but encourage them to adopt excellent oral care habits for life!

Some people are under the impression that baby teeth are not important because they’ll eventually fall out. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Your child’s primary teeth help guide permanent teeth into place and can also impact the health of their adult teeth.

Caring for your child’s baby teeth can give them their best opportunity to have a beautiful adult smile. Studies have repeatedly shown the importance of baby teeth, even when it comes to a child’s self-esteem and ability to speak properly!

When Do Baby Teeth Come In and When Should My Child Have Their First Checkup?

You can expect to see that first baby tooth around the age of six months, although every child is different. Some children will see their first tooth sooner, while others won’t start teething until around their first birthday.

When your child’s first baby tooth erupts, you can begin caring for it by brushing it gently with a tiny amount of toothpaste. We also recommend you bring your baby in within the first few months after they get their first tooth. Unfortunately, as soon as your child has teeth, they can get tooth decay.

These early visits to the dentist will not only ensure the health of your child’s smile and that their development is on track, but get them accustomed to the dentist for their future appointments in Woodbridge VA!

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment

During your child’s first appointment with Dr. Uthman, we’ll conduct an exam of their teeth and gums to ensure everything looks good. Depending on the age of your child and what we find during that first exam, we may recommend x-rays.

The x-ray technology we use at Potomac Family Dental is digital and exerts the lowest possible amount of radiation. Should you have concerns about the use of x-rays for your child, we can discuss before or during your appointment.

We’ll also ask some questions about your child’s fluoride use at home and whether or not your drinking water contains fluoride. While fluoride can play an instrumental role in preventing tooth decay, there is such a thing as getting too much fluoride, so we want to be sure your child is getting the right amount.

Dr. Uthman will also review your child’s oral care routine with you to ensure their smile is set up to be healthy as their baby teeth grow and their permanent teeth eventually make their way in!

How to Prepare Your Child for the Dentist

If this is your child’s first visit to the dentist and they’re a bit older, it doesn’t have to be a scary experience. Potomac Family Dental treats patients of all ages and welcomes you and your family to visit our practice to acquaint your child with us and allow us to make the experience as positive as possible.

You can also prepare your child for their dentist visit at home by reviewing with them what will happen at the dentist, reading books about the dentist, and honestly answering their questions. It’s also great to set an example for your child by talking positively about your own dental visits!

Invest in Your Child’s Smile!

Baby teeth are an important part of your child’s adult smile. Call us at Potomac Family Dental today to schedule an appointment for your child at (703) 348-8070!