When should your child first see a children's dentist in Tijuana? Find out age guidelines and ensure a healthy smile for your child.

When Should Your Child Have Their First Dental Visit?

While it may vary slightly, most dentists recommend that you bring your child for their first dental visit by the time they get their first tooth, or when they turn one year old, whichever comes first. Our children's dentist in Tijuana likes to call this their "happy visit."

This early dental care appointment won't last very long. Instead, it's designed as a way for you as the parent and for your child to meet the dentist and learn what the process is like.

We'll ask you some basic information about your child to get a clearer picture of their medical and dental history. Next, we'll do a quick examination of their teeth and demonstrate some brushing and oral hygiene tactics and tips. 

During this first visit, we'll also discuss tips regarding oral hygiene for kids, so that you can set them up for healthy habits they'll practice for life. We'll also go over some routine dental maintenance plans, and allow you to ask questions or address any dental-related concerns.

Your child will also get the chance to count their teeth with us. This simple step makes the visit fun, interactive, and comforting so that they look forward to visiting us in the future. 

Preparing Your Child for the Visit

Prepping your child for their first dental visit is a smart way to prevent them from fearing the dentist. Talk to them about going to the dentist, and use words that they understand so it's not scary or intimidating.

We also recommend that you find a good children's book about going to the dentist. These books will help your child relate to the experience and feel excited about going rather than feeling scared.

Most importantly, you must try to always stay positive whenever you mention going to the dentist to your child (or to others, too). Doing this will help your child see the whole experience as something fun and exciting instead of something scary.

Kids' Dental Health Tips

When your little one is still an infant, you should start wiping their gums with a soft, clean cloth twice daily. Do this in the morning after their first feeding and again in the evening just before bedtime. This daily habit helps to wipe away the sugars and bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease.

Aside from scheduling your child's first visit to the dentist, your child should also start practicing good oral care habits at home. Start by helping children under three years old brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes. Make sure you give them a small, soft child's toothbrush and only use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Once your child is three years old and up, you can graduate to using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. We recommend that you continue to monitor them while they brush and rinse. Now is also a great time to show them how to floss once a day.

After your child is 10 years old, they can start to brush and floss independently. It's still important that you remind them to brush twice a day to help them develop this healthy habit as an adult.

It's also important to look for early signs of cavities or tooth decay. The sooner you can address these problems with your dentist. the sooner your child can get the treatment they need. Schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist if your child is experiencing:

• Discoloration or stains on the teeth
• A visible hole in one of their teeth
• Sensitivity or pain

These are the main symptoms of cavities, and they should be treated quickly to ease pain and protect the tooth (or teeth). Children may develop cavities from a variety of sources including acid, saliva, food particles, and bacteria, which is why brushing and flossing are so important. 

The Benefits of Going to a Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentistry is a specialized field that focuses on the oral health of children and teenagers. There are many benefits of taking your child to our pediatric dentist, including:

• We have more experience treating young children
• Our child-centric environment helps them feel comfortable and safe
• A greater focus on preventative treatments for kids
• Thorough understanding of the importance of those treatments at a young age
• Training in child behavior

Pediatric dentists must have two to three years more training than general dentists, allowing them to focus on the special needs surrounding kids' oral health. A thorough understanding of how children's teeth develop is also required in this field. 

Your dentist will know how to treat developing teeth along with child behavior and psychology. They'll also have training in how to treat children with special needs, ensuring that your little one is in a safe, comfortable environment. 

We recommend that you ask the dentist to apply sealers to your child's teeth when appropriate. This simple step adds another layer of protection to prevent cavities from forming. 

Protect Your Child's Oral Health

Knowing when to visit our children's dentist in Tijuana and practicing good oral hygiene for kids at an early age is the best way to protect your child's dental and oral health. Remember to schedule your child's first dental appointment as soon as possible to set them up for success.

Dentiland is the leading pediatric dentist in Tijuana, and we care deeply about kid's oral health. If you're ready to schedule an appointment with us, contact our expert team today.