Your baby's first trip to the dentist is a special milestone in his or her oral health. Those first visits to the dentist will lay the foundation for your child's dental hygiene and attitude towards oral health. It's important to make his or her first experience with the dentist a positive one. These tips will help you make your child's first visit to the dentist a happy experience:

Go at the Right Time

It is the recommendation of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that children should see the dentist for the first time when the first tooth appears, or when the child turns one year old. This may seem early, but this is an important part of keeping your child's teeth healthy, thereby making trips to the dentist a positive experience. Take your child to the dentist every six months after his or her first visit. 

Find the Right Dentist

Your child's first dentist doesn't have to be a pediatric dentist in order to be capable of handling your child's dental health. The world of family dentistry has many qualified dentists who can see pediatric patients as well as adult patients. However, make sure that the dentist you choose has experience working with pediatric patients. The more your dentist knows about making small children comfortable and meeting the needs of very young patients, the better. 

If you have the chance, speak with the dentist before making the appointment. Find out how much experience that dentist has with small children, and ask the dentist about the methods he or she uses to keep children calm and happy during their visit. Look for online reviews of that dentist, or ask other parents if they have had experience with that dentist. 

Talk to your Baby About the Dentist

In the days leading up to that first trip to the dentist, talk to your child about the trip to the dentist. Use soothing tones. Say positive things about going to the dentist and about maintaining oral hygiene. Speak these same words on the trip to the dentist, and as you wait in the waiting area. 

Stay with your Baby

Stay with your baby for that first visit. When your child is older, your dentist may start seeing your child alone. This is normal. However, in those first few visits, you'll want your child to feel as comfortable as possible. Being there with your child, providing comfort and reassurance, will help your child relax. 

Once your child has had his or her first trip to the dentist, it will be your responsibility as a parent to show your child how to care for his or her teeth, so those trips to the dentist can continue being positive experiences. Ask the dentist for any tips on caring for your child's teeth, so you'll know how to handle this moving forward.

If you need more help or have other questions, try contacting a company like Adams Dental Center for more information.