First Dental Visit

Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step on the road to teaching your child healthy lifetime habits. We want to share with you the latest available methods for keeping your child healthy and safe.

The first dental visit should occur shortly after the first tooth erupts and no later than the child’s 1st birthday. Beginning tooth and mouth examinations early may lead to detection of early stages of tooth decay that can be easily treated. At the first visit we will present:

· A preventative home care program including brushing, flossing, diet and the option of fluoride.

· A caries risk assessment.

· Information about Early Childhood Caries, which may be due to a wide variety of feeding and hygiene habits.

· The latest facts about finger, thumb and pacifier habits.

· What you need to know about preventing injuries to the mouth and teeth.

· Information on growth and development.

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Some parents may be concerned that their child may cry during their first few dental visits. Please know that this is NORMAL! Some children cry when changing diapers, wiping noses, or even trying to feed! Crying is a normal part of childhood and infancy and it is NOT an indicator of a traumatic experience. When an oral exam is done on a baby or child we are entering a very sacred part of the child's body, where they learn and feel comfort! Of course they will protest an exam and cleaning! This does not mean that we shouldn't examine a child because we know that crying is just their way of saying, "I don't want this" just like they might during a diaper change. 

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We have watched the most frightened babies and toddlers become successful and happy dental patients who love visiting us!

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