Don’t forget this important “first.” 

It’s undeniable that there are a lot of firsts throughout the first year of your child’s life. There’s the first smile, the first laugh, and sometimes, those first steps. But there’s one first that a lot of families tend to forget—their first dental visit.

With the chaos that comes with a newly mobile baby, it’s not a surprise that parents tend to push that first dental visit aside. It’s common for adults to have some form of dental anxiety, which only makes it harder. You can’t help but wonder what your little one is going to do when a stranger has a toothbrush near their face. Don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for! We want to make your child’s dental experiences good and give your family someone to rely on when it comes to dental care. So, if you find yourself getting nervous about your little one’s first dental visit, here’s exactly what you can expect.

A Warm Welcome

When you first walk into Pediatric Dental Associates, you will be greeted with a warm, child-friendly atmosphere. The last thing we want your children to see when they come to visit is a cold, white room filled with silent people. We want them to feel welcome!

Our dental team is trained specifically in pediatric dentistry. We love to watch our little patients grow and thrive. When your children come and visit us, you can rest assured that we all truly care.

Gentle Examination

Babies and toddlers can be deceptively strong and squirmy. It’s just part of the game! When you take your child to their first dental visit, it’s not uncommon to worry about how they will behave. Will they sit still for the dentist? Will they try to run down the hallway to explore every room possible? Trust us, we’ve seen it all, and we have the patience needed to talk to even the littlest patients and help them learn how the dental process works.

The examination will be gentle. We promise! We will be checking around for any early signs of dental issues so that we can communicate what you might expect over the next few years. We will spend time inspecting the gumline and any teeth that have emerged to make sure everything is looking good. This is important to do early, as it not only teaches children not to be afraid, but it lets us catch any potential problems early.

Parental Guidance

Caring for those tiny teeth can be tricky at times—especially with how little ones love to squirm. After the dental examination, we will offer advice to help you perfect the brushing routine. This can sometimes include tips and tricks for getting to those hard-to-reach places, how many teeth are left to come in, and sometimes even dietary recommendations.

This is the perfect time to ask any questions you might have. There’s no judgment here! We want to help give your children the best dental care possible, and we can’t expect to do that without you on our team. Whether you have a list of questions prepared for us, or just ask them on the spot, we’re ready to answer!

Preventive Measures

Prevention is always the best option when it comes to oral health. As technology advances, there are more and more options available to help keep those teeth shining bright.

A common preventative treatment is fluoride. It can be found in the majority of our tap water, and it helps tremendously, but a fluoride treatment can help take cavity-prevention to the next level. Sometimes this is done by brushing a tasty coating onto the teeth, and other times it’s done with a foam that goes in a little tray. Don’t worry, this foam also tastes good.

Another common treatment is sealants. These are thin, protective shields that are placed onto the back molars. This helps keep bacteria from hiding inside the crevices, making it just a little easier to keep those teeth pristine.

Future Dental Milestones

It’s important to keep those regular check-ups every six months. These appointments are your best ally when it comes to keeping your children’s teeth healthy throughout their lives.

As your little one grows, their dental visits will adjust with them. For example, as they get older, dental X-rays will be included to check on tooth development. At each appointment, the goal is to keep an eye out for any potential problems—preferably before they even begin.

We can’t wait to meet you all!

Taking your little one to any appointment for the first time can feel like a daunting experience. You don’t know how they’re going to act, and you don’t want them to leave with a bad experience. Remember that the goal of that first appointment is to acclimate your little one to the office and to make sure everything is okay so far. It’s fast, it’s easy, and the goal is to keep them smiling the whole time!

If your little one is getting close to that magical year mark, it’s time to hop online and request an appointment. We are excited to welcome another kiddo into our dental family!