Early dental care is important to a lifelong beautiful smile. If you think your children are too young to see a dentist, you might be surprised to learn the opposite. At Tyler McCabe, D.M.D., our dentists want to start little patients out on a long path to healthy teeth and a healthy life.
The Ocean Springs Dentist That Is Gentle With the Littlest of Patients
The first few dental appointments set the stage for dental care for the rest of a child's life. That's why you'll want a dentist who is very caring, patient, and gentle with your child. These are all qualities that our Ocean Springs dentist possesses. Dr. McCabe goes out of his way to relate to children, and he has a passion for early dental care.
The Very First Appointment
A child should first visit the dentist by age 1 or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in. However, it's never too late to begin early dental care.
At the first appointment, your child will meet the staff and Dr. McCabe. We'll talk to your child about dental care in terms they can understand. Some X-rays may be taken, but usually, the first visit is just to see the inside of your child's mouth and look at the teeth.
The hygienist or dentist will show your child some of the tools they use to look at teeth. Kids are naturally curious and often ask what each tool does. It's also a good way to help kids feel at ease in the dental chair.
The Second or Follow-up Appointment
A follow-up is scheduled after the first initial appointment. At the second appointment, your child's mouth may be photographed, X-rayed, cleaned, and brushed. Then the dentist can determine how healthy your child's teeth are and what kind of dental care plan is needed.
Cosmetic Dentist in Ocean Springs
Children whose baby teeth will fall out generally don't need cosmetic dentistry. However, if your child falls and breaks a tooth, it's imperative to save that tooth and repair it. Dr. McCabe's office provides a pediatric cosmetic dentist in Ocean Springs for the more unusual cases in children.
Encouraging Little Children to Brush and Take Care of Their Teeth
Most dentists provide a "goody bag" to encourage children to brush their teeth. It includes a toothbrush, floss or dental picks, a small tube of toothpaste, etc. This is a nice way to introduce your child to brushing, and it gives you the correct size and bristle softness of the toothbrush for your child. If you don't receive this, ask about the type of toothbrush you should buy for your little one and have your child help pick it out. They get excited about getting something fun and new.
Why Should Your Toddler or Preschooler See a Dentist?
The argument that kids are just going to lose their baby teeth anyway isn't a great argument for avoiding those first dental visits. The health of your child's baby teeth and gums directly impacts the adult teeth that grow later. If you take care of the baby teeth, the adult teeth will have fewer problems and your child will develop good oral hygiene habits.
When you have time, schedule that initial appointment with Tyler McCabe Dentistry and get your child started on some healthy habits sooner!