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Many people wonder when their child’s first dental appointment should occur. A toddler’s initial checkup is prudent as soon as their first tooth erupts through their gums. This may sound overzealous, but there are important elements of a young child’s health necessary to examine regularly.  Developmental issues caught at the earliest possible stage are the easiest to treat. Furthermore, when a child is introduced to regular checkups that early, they are far less likely to develop dental anxiety in their life. The Temecula dentists at the Oasis Family Dental will tell you more about what to expect when it comes to dental care for your little one.

A Comfortable Experience

Your child’s dental hygienist starts by calling you and your child into the examination room. If they are very small and uncomfortable, we might have you sit on the chair and hold them in your lap. We may even perform a short mock examination on you to model expectations for your baby. We will look inside their mouth and possibly order x-rays. While the radiation that your child is exposed to from dental x-rays is negligible, we will err on the side of caution at their early developmental checkups. However, occasional x-rays are an important tool in identifying proper dental development and early tooth decay.

Preventive Care for Little Ones

A gentle professional cleaning may not take very long when your child only has a few teeth, but eventually, they will need the same kind of checkups that you have as an adult. From an early age, children are exposed to Streptococcus mutans (the germs which cause tooth decay). Kids also tend to have bigger sweet tooths than adults, and eat a lot of refined carbohydrates. Regular cleanings are essential to clear away the by-products of S. mutans, food debris, and acid. The combination of these three things produces plaque (which hardens into tartar). Our goal is to prevent severe dental infections so that your child won’t succumb to invasive dental procedures such as root canal treatments or early extractions.

Comprehensive Dental Care for the Whole Family in Temecula

Are you due for a dental checkup? Visit the Oasis Family Dental for all of your comprehensive dental care needs. We also offer multi-specialty dentistry. Call our 92591 dentist office at (951) 695-2290 to make an appointment. We serve patients in Temecula and all surrounding communities.