The most common question we have regarding children is about what age they should start going to the dentist. We follow the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which strongly recommends bringing children to see a pediatric dentist when their first tooth comes through the gums, or no later than their first birthday.
During the first dental visit, we will get to know your child and get them acquainted with the dental practice. We also will evaluate your child’s dental health, offer tips on good home care, and review developmental milestones. Our goal is to have our young patients feel comfortable and happy about visiting the dentist!
For your child’s first visit to our office, we will do a comprehensive examination. This includes looking at your child’s teeth along with the supporting structures of the gums, evaluating the way the teeth come together, and assessing spacing. We will only take x-rays if necessary. Additionally, we will address your child’s oral hygiene, offer anticipatory guidance, and clean your child’s teeth. This is the optimal time to ask questions about your child’s mouth and teeth.
Going to the dentist should be positive, and creating a memorable experience begins at home. Start by discussing the upcoming visit with your child to ease their mind. Make sure to let them know the dentist and team will explain each procedure and answer your child’s questions.
When discussing dentistry with your child, avoid using phrases that could create negative feelings such as “needle”, “shot”, “drill”, “pull”, or “hurt”. Our dental team uses words that have similar meanings, but are positive and won’t worry your child.
