Baby’s First Dentist Visit
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When my daughter had her one-year checkup my doctor told me it was time for a first dentist visit. I went to my own dentist and asked for a referral to a pediatric dentist, and my dentist hit the roof.
“A one year old going to a dentist?” he said incredulously. “I don’t know what’s wrong with doctors today.”
So when it came time for my daughter’s next doctor’s appointment, I told my doctor what my dentist had said. She was quite annoyed, and now I had just started a little war between my doctor and my dentist. Again, my doctor insisted that I take my daughter in to see a dentist. I went ahead and booked an appointment with a local pediatric dentist, much to my dentist’s chagrin.
When it comes time for you to take your baby to the dentist, look for a pediatric dentist. These people know what they’re doing! My daughter got to watch Blues Clues on a television that was suspended right above her chair. She was given cool sunglasses to wear during the exam and had a hygienist and dentist who were both really good with kids. The appointment was really simple too: she had her teeth examined and cleaned, and then the dentist showed her how to floss. They didn’t even do x-rays on her teeth until after she turned four.
The dentist explained to me that the main reasons why they want to see one year olds is because the dentist is trying to get the kids familiar with the process of going to the dentist. They also want to make sure there aren’t any glowing dental problems in the making. I was scared to death that the dentist would do something to my daughter to make her terrified of the dentist forever, but it was quite to the contrary. My daughter is four now, and she actually looks forward to dentist appointments.
My daughter’s favorite part of the dental appointment is at the end when the dentist gives her a token to pick out a toy from a vending machine. Like I said, these folks know how to treat kiddos. Don’t be afraid to take your baby or toddler in to see the dentist.
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