When Should Your Child See a Dentist?
Your child should visit the dentist about six months to a year after their first tooth appears.
What to Expect at the First Visit:
The first appointment is usually short and doesn’t involve treatment unless there’s a problem. It’s mainly to help your child get comfortable with the dentist and the office. This friendly visit can help reduce fear and build trust for future appointments.
A children’s book to help prepare your child for their first dental visit:
Children’s Book
Routine Checkups and Treatments:
During regular visits, the dentist will check your child’s teeth for cavities, bite issues, and any problems with the gums or jaw. Our staff will clean the teeth, apply fluoride, and give tips to help care for your child’s dental health at home.
How Is a Pediatric Dentist Different?
Pediatric dentists go through two extra years of training to learn how to care for growing teeth and work with children. They understand kids’ dental needs and how to make them feel at ease. While general dentists can treat kids, pediatric dentists focus only on children. Their offices are also designed to be welcoming and fun, so kids feel more comfortable during visits, just like ours!
Children & Dental X-Rays
Children who are at a higher risk of dental problems are advised for regular x-ray evaluations by their dentists. At the age of around five or six, when permanent teeth start growing, your child should visit the dentist to see if their smile is developing properly. From there, any potential problems can be addressed before they become more serious.
Frequently Asked Questions
A child’s first visit to the dentist is a big event. That’s why our team considers the needs of parents and kids. Unless there is a dental problem, your initial appointment is typically brief but allows time for us to get to know you and your child. In our cheerful office, we’ll greet you with a friendly smile and immediately start building a positive relationship with your family by talking and also lessening your child’s normal anxieties about going to the dentist. We’ll check the teeth’s overall condition, and we’ll look for signs of decay. We’ll examine your little one’s jaw, bite, gums, and oral tissues. If cleaning is necessary, we can take care of that as well, and we’ll make recommendations for your next appointment.
Generally, the American Dental Association recommends that you schedule your child’s first visit to the dentist within six months of the first tooth erupting, or around the time of your little one’s first birthday. Studies show that this initial well visit is a great help for dentists to help predict and, possibly, prevent future risks of toddler tooth decay. This introductory experience with our pediatric dentist is also a wonderful way to learn and establish healthy oral habits, such as regular gum and tooth brushing.
Everyone wants the best care for their little ones. That’s why scheduling your child’s first visit with a pediatric dentist is a wise choice. We are trained specifically in dealing with the oral health and temperaments of babies, toddlers, young children, and growing teenagers. We undergo two extra years of medical training and bring a unique expertise that guarantees a happy start to your child’s relationship with the dentist and fosters healthy oral care through their adolescence.
We offer a variety of preventative care procedures and treatments that, if done regularly, can make a huge difference in the health of your child’s teeth. At the top of our list are biannual checkups to take a close look at gums and teeth, gently clean those little pearly whites, and carefully evaluate overall oral health. By planning ahead with these scheduled appointments, you can keep the ‘sugar bugs’ away and avoid decay. We also offer infant and pediatric digital x-rays, dental sealants, and fluoride treatments.
Preventative care is essential for children’s developing teeth because these checkups and regular procedures can lessen or completely avoid dental problems as your kids grow. Often, plaque builds up on teeth, causing cavities before the child feels or sees any signs of decay. Stopping the ‘sugar bugs’ before they do damage is vital for oral health. Moreover, regular dental education for kids and their families develops life-long brushing and flossing habits that will keep your child’s smile bright for years to come.
From the start, our team schedules your child’s preventative care appointments at the ideal time for your family, so we can ensure a calm, peaceful visit. We’ll explain the benefits of regular checkups and demonstrate recommended brushing and flossing techniques that will help you start your little one on a lifetime of smart dental habits. Additionally, we’ll evaluate the specific needs of your child, take safe digital x-rays, and give you a heads-up on what to expect as your child’s teeth develop. Parents are always welcome in our exam rooms!
