Your Child's First Visit To The Dentist
Your child's first dental visit is a pivotal step towards lifelong oral health. Our compassionate pediatric dental team is committed to making this initial experience both positive and informative.
During your child's first visit, we focus on familiarizing them with the dental environment in a fun and engaging way. Our specialists will gently assess your child's oral health, looking for early signs of dental issues, and discuss the importance of good oral hygiene habits.
We also take this opportunity to answer any questions you might have and provide tailored advice on how to care for your child's teeth at home. Our clinic is designed to be child-friendly, helping to ease any apprehensions and make your little one's first dental experience a memorable and educational one. If your child is coming to our office after having a traumatic experience in a medical or dental setting, please inform us so we may help guide them into a positive experience slowly, establishing the trust needed for better lifelong relationships with dental environments.
What To Know As A Parent
The guidelines have changed! In order to prevent early childhood cavities, it is recommended that your child see a pediatric dentist 6 months after their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday.
Whether it is your child’s first dental visit ever or their first dental visit at our practice, regardless of age, during this first visit we will assess medical history, family genetics (as it pertains to oral health), existing hygiene practice at home, child cooperation for oral care at home, persons involved in child’s care, diet, products used for oral health.
This allows Dr. Espinosa and Dr. DeSimini to develop a prevention plan unique to your child’s needs and family life. In addition, early exposure to a kid friendly dental environment will help the patient feel more comfortable at the office and ensure a positive dental experience at an earlier age. Following your child’s first dental visit it is recommended to maintain twice yearly dental exams to monitor their oral health, growth, and development.
Remember the earlier the better when it comes to establishing your child’s dental home!
Establishing a “Dental Home”
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a “Dental Home” for your child by one year of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
The Dental Home is intended to provide a place other than the Emergency Room for parents.
Why are primary (baby) teeth important?
- Essential for eating naturally and obtaining nutrients
- Maintain space for the permanent teeth and guide them into the correct position
- Aid in speech development and facial appearance
- Infection of a primary tooth can affect the development of the permanent tooth and can cause pain or discomfort, which may disrupt school or daily activities
- You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.
How To Prepare Your Child For Their First Visit
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as “needle”, “shot”, “pull”, “drill” or “hurt”. The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.
