Your Child’s First Dental Visit

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When should my child first see a dentist, and why?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends children are seen by a pediatric dentist by their first birthday. This is an ideal time for the pediatric dentist to carefully examine the development of your child's mouth. Dental problems often start early and can be prevented in most cases; therefore, the earlier the visit the better. We feel an early exam with a strong emphasis on prevention sets the foundation for a lifetime of oral health. Establishing a relationship with a pediatric dentist early also helps expedite treatment in the event of an emergency involving the mouth. Injuries involving the teeth and surrounding areas are common as your infant learns to walk and explore
his or her environment.

How do I prepare my child and myself for the visit?
Before the visit, our office staff will be happy to discuss the procedures of the first appointment so there are not any surprises. Our goal on the first visit is to establish a warm connection with your child and to help relieve any fears you or your child may have. We understand that your child may be anxious and our experienced staff will help your child every step of the way. We encourage you to be a part of our dental health team, working with us to protect the health of your child. We count on you to give your child encouragement and talk to your child in a positive way about what to expect, and build excitement about the upcoming visit.

What will happen on the first visit?
For young children, the first visit is an introduction to acquaint your child with our doctors and staff. We have found that our calm, warm and fun environment is the key to a successful first visit. At the child’s initial visit healthy dietary and oral hygiene habits are discussed. At the same time, we will check for early childhood caries, also known as baby bottle decay. We will also discuss issues such as fluoride and oral habits such as pacifiers and thumb sucking. This is a great opportunity for you to ask the doctors any questions you may have. Short, successive visits are meant to build the child's trust in our doctors and staff and can prove invaluable if your child needs to be treated later for any dental condition.

Appointments for young children may be scheduled earlier in the day, when your child is alert and fresh. For younger children we often carry out the examination by performing a “lap exam”. The parent will hold the child and then the child’s head is placed in the doctor’s lap. This is a very unintimidating way for the dentist to get a great look at your child’s mouth. At the initial visit, children must be accompanied by their legal guardian.

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