A family dentist can care for your entire family's teeth, including your young children. You should take your child to their first dental checkup before their first birthday up to two years old. For this reason, it is important you help them get ready for their dental checkups. Here are three things you don't want to forget in your child's life to help them have good dental checkups.

Fluoride 

When your child's baby teeth are growing and developing, fluoride can help strengthen them to be more resistant to bacteria in their mouth. Before the age of six, children's permanent teeth are still developing and fluoride can help make their teeth stronger. When their teeth are stronger, they can be more able to withstand demineralizing acids in foods they eat.

When your child eats or drinks water or food containing fluoride, the mineral is remineralized onto the teeth's enamel layer. Because eating certain types of foods can cause teeth to lose minerals, your child needs a mineral supplement to replace what has been lost.

Your child can drink fluoridated water, or you can give them a fluoride supplement to help strengthen their teeth while they grow. When your child goes to their dentist checkup, they can also have a fluoride gel or paste applied onto their teeth. You can also find fluoride mouthwashes to use at home for extra fluoride benefits.

Brushing and Flossing

As your child's parent, it is your responsibility to teach them how to take care of their bodies, including taking care of their teeth. Make sure your child knows how important it is to take good care of their teeth so they have them to chew foods their entire life. You should begin teaching your child at an early age how to have good dental hygiene. 

Part of teaching good dental hygiene to your child involves setting an example of what to do. Be sure to brush and floss your own teeth every day, because your child will be watching you. 

As soon as they have their own baby teeth, you can begin to brush their teeth for them with a small bit of toothpaste on a soft toothbrush. For children under age three, use a rice-sized piece of toothpaste to brush their teeth. For children three to six years of age, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for teeth brushing. 

You should help your child brush their teeth until they are at least eight years old to make sure they are properly cleaning them.

Teach your child that flossing is important to keep their gums healthy. As soon as your child has teeth touching together, you should floss their teeth, teaching them as you do it.

Make Dental Visits Positive

The first time your child goes to the dentist, it is a whole new experience for them. The dentist, the dental chair, all the noises, and instruments are going to be overwhelming to them. For this reason it is a good idea to start talking to your child about visiting the dentist several months before they actually go for their first checkup. 

Talk to them about how the dentist is going to look at their teeth for any cavities and clean them. You can also read your child a book about visiting the dentist, or watch a television show with them about going to the dentist. 

Be positive and relaxed when you take your child to the dentist because they can get scared and nervous if you are.

These three tips will help your child have a good experience at their first dentist appointment and as they continue to grow. Continue to learn more here.