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Your Child’s First Visit at Pediatric Dentistry
Your Child’s First Visit at Pediatric Dentistry
At Pediatric Dentistry, we know that a child’s first dental visit is an important milestone in their journey to lifelong oral health.
Our goal is to make sure that your little one’s first visit is fun, comfortable, and positive, setting the stage for a healthy relationship with dental care.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
During the first visit, our friendly and caring team will introduce your child to the dentist’s office in a way that makes them feel safe and at ease. We take a “tell, show, do” approach, explaining each step of the process in kid-friendly terms to ensure your child understands what’s happening. Here’s what you can expect:
1. Warm Welcome and Tour
We’ll greet you with a warm welcome and give your child a quick tour of the office, showing them all the cool equipment and fun things we have to offer.
2. Gentle Examination
Our dentist will perform a gentle examination of your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw to ensure everything is developing properly. We’ll count your child’s teeth and check for any signs of cavities or other issues.
3. Cleaning and Fluoride Treatment
Depending on your child’s age and comfort level, we may also perform a simple cleaning to remove plaque and introduce them to fluoride treatments that help protect their teeth from cavities.
4. Personalized Oral Care Tips
We’ll provide you with personalized oral care tips and guidance on how to brush and floss your child’s teeth at home. You’ll also learn about diet and habits that can promote a healthy smile.
5. Fun and Educational Experience
We make sure every visit is fun! Your child will leave the office with a new toothbrush, a fun sticker or prize, and a big smile on their face. We also focus on educating kids about the importance of taking care of their teeth in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand.
Tips to Prepare for Your Child’s First Visit
To make the experience as smooth as possible, here are some tips to help you prepare:
- Talk positively about the dentist: Let your child know that the dentist is a friendly helper who keeps their teeth strong and healthy.
- Read books or watch videos about dental visits: Familiarizing your child with the dentist through stories or videos can make the experience feel less intimidating.
- Schedule the visit at a good time of day: Choose a time when your child is well-rested and not hungry, so they’re more likely to be cooperative and relaxed.
- Bring a comfort item: If your child has a favorite toy or blanket, feel free to bring it along to help them feel more comfortable.
Your Questions Answered
Your child deserves honest dental care tailored to their needs. We’ll listen to your concerns and recommend proven treatments.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child in to see us by their first birthday. Though this may sound early, we can teach you proper pediatric oral hygiene techniques, check for cavities, and watch for developmental problems.
Various forms of tooth decay can affect babies and small children. Early childhood cavities (tooth decay) can develop rapidly, progressing from the hard outer enamel layer of a tooth into the softer inner dentin in six months or less. Most of all, we want to ensure your child has a positive experience at our office and will be a regular visitor for years to come.
The specialized field of pediatric dentistry exists because a child’s mouth differs largely from an adult’s mouth. As pediatric dentists, we have an over 35 years of experience. Our specialized field covers the oral health of children, and our education and experience prepare us for the unique needs of children, infants, and adolescents. We also tend to those who have special healthcare needs.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends children receive an orthodontics screening by the age of seven. It is important for us to evaluate the development of your child’s incoming adult teeth. If your child is not in need of more aggressive orthodontic treatment, we will address dental issues once more of their permanent teeth are in place, and their jaw is developed.
A lifetime of good oral health begins during infancy, even before the baby’s first tooth emerges. We have provided some guidelines below to help new parents!
Generally, the first baby teeth that appear are usually the lower front teeth and can appear between six and nine months of age. All babies are unique, so it’s not unusual if your child’s teeth emerge before or after this age. When their first teeth emerge, it’s time to transition to a baby toothbrush.
As more teeth appear, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you start brushing your child’s teeth with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Gently brush the inside and outside of your baby’s teeth, as well as their tongue. Since a tiny amount of toothpaste is being used, there is no need to rinse.
A lifetime of good oral health begins during infancy, even before the baby’s first tooth emerges. We have provided some guidelines below to help new parents!
It’s a good idea to get into the habit of wiping your baby’s gums with gauze or a soft, wet washcloth to remove any sugars, milk, or residual food. Simply wrap the gauze or cloth around your index finger and gently rub it over their gums. There is no need to use any toothpaste yet.
One serious form of dental decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposures of an infant’s teeth to liquids that contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice, and other sweetened drinks.
Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, allowing plaque bacteria to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle as a comforter at bedtime, it should contain only water. If your child doesn’t fall asleep without the bottle and their usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s contents with water over two to three weeks.
After your child’s teeth erupt, you can use a smear size amount of baby toothpaste and a soft baby toothbrush. When children reach three years of age, we advise parents to supervise their child’s teeth brushing and make sure they only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Your child mustn’t swallow the toothpaste.
Poor oral health or a diet high in sugary foods can lead to cavities in your child’s mouth. When children don’t brush or floss well or often enough, the bacteria in their mouths feed on the sugars that are left behind on their teeth. This develops into plaque and eventually tartar, leading to tooth decay.
If plaque and tartar are not removed, it can cause decay, cavities, periodontal disease, and other oral health problems. Your child may experience discomfort when eating and drinking hot or cold foods as a result of tooth decay. It’s important to see your pediatric dentist at one of our Texas offices as soon as possible if your child is experiencing any pain so that we can ensure no decay could spread.
Here are a few ways to prevent tooth decay for your child:
- Brush and floss daily
- Use fluoridated toothpaste
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash
- Take your child for regular dental checkups and cleanings; preventative care is essential for healthy gums and teeth
- Ask our Texas pediatric dentist about dental sealants which can prevent cavities and benefit tooth strengthening
- Chew sugar-free gum
- Limit your child’s intake of sugary foods and drinks
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