Toddler Visits

Your Toddler’s First Visit

STARTING EARLY IS THE KEY!

At Pediatric Dental Specialists–Kearney, we recommend that you bring your child to the dentist by age 1 or within six months of their first tooth appearing. This gives us a chance to take a look and spot any potential problems early. But at this age, dental visits are mostly about helping your child to become familiar with the dentist and our office.

Starting dental visits early helps to encourage a lifelong positive relationship with dentistry. It becomes routine and encourages healthy dental habits into adulthood, leading to a lifetime of healthy smiles.

The First Visit

WHAT TO EXPECT

Bringing your child to their first dental visit is an exciting time for all involved. We understand your child might be hesitant and that parents can be nervous about it, but we are here to ensure your visit is stress-free. Our dental office is a relaxing environment where you and your child will feel welcome from the moment you walk through the door.

The first visit will be done in our consult room. Our team will discuss your child’s diet and brushing routine, then do a knee-to-knee evaluation. This allows you to hold your child in your lap, which provides them great comfort. We will gently check the jaws, teeth, and gums. For toddlers, we perform the actual cleaning portion using a toothbrush. For older children that can sit in the big chair by themselves, we will slowly introduce other teeth-cleaning instruments to complete a comprehensive cleaning.

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My son's first visit was amazing, front staff were super sweet, dental nurse was amazing with him. Both dentist and assistant were informative and provided great care. They were gentle and spoke to him in a caring manner so he would understand.

MEILY O.

Is your child over age 2?

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE

While it’s great to get your infants used to the dentist, we understand that is not always possible. If your child is over 2 years of age and still hasn’t had a dental visit, do not despair. It is never too late to start. You can be confident that our friendly, experienced team is used to working with children of all ages. Together we can make your child’s first dental visit a positive experience no matter how old they are. Having us evaluate as your child sits in your lap is a great way to introduce them to professional dental care. We can do this for as long as required until your child is happy to sit in the big chair by themselves for dental checkups and treatments.

For children over 3, we normally take radiographs as part of their first visit. Thanks to digital X-rays, this is a fast and easy process, and our team will explain to you and your child what’s happening every step of the way.

How to Prepare Your Child

TIPS FOR PARENTS

There are many great ways that parents can prepare their children for their first dental visit. And a lot of these activities can help parents as well! Unpacking the process with your child ahead of time can settle any nerves and ensure you are all prepared for that very first visit, setting the stage for healthy dental habits throughout their life.

Role-playing is one of the best ways to show your child what to expect. You can play the dentist first and ask your child to open their mouth so you can take a look. Practice brushing and show them how they can effectively brush their own teeth. Then give your child a chance to be the dentist while you pretend to be the patient. Kids often have fun with this, and it helps to create a calmer first visit at the dental office.

Reading books together about their favorite characters visiting the dentist is another great way to introduce dental visits and professional cleanings. There are a ton of different books to choose from, so mix it up a bit and read a variety to keep your kiddos interested. You can also look up their favorite characters brushing their teeth on YouTube. You will be surprised how quickly kids want to demonstrate what they learn from books and videos.

PDS favicon

My son's first visit was amazing, front staff were super sweet, dental nurse was amazing with him. Both dentist and assistant were informative and provided great care. They were gentle and spoke to him in a caring manner so he would understand.

MEILY O.

There are options for that unexpected dental procedure.

With or without insurance, we want to help you make getting the dental care your child needs easy.

We work with your insurance to maximize your benefits.

No insurance? We also accept other forms of payment such as credit cards, cash, and check. We also accept CareCredit which offers flexible monthly payments, with zero interest for six or 12 months on larger charges.

At Pediatric Dental Specialists–Kearney, we keep your children smiling at every age.

From babies to teens, our team is here to help you care for your children’s teeth and oral health. We love helping our young patients to learn healthy dental habits that will last a lifetime.

Contact the team at Pediatric Dental Specialists–Kearney today to make your child’s first appointment.