child's first dental appointment

Being a parent means you will be constantly reaching new milestones in your child’s life. As soon as they get their first tooth, you can expect one to happen immediately afterward: their first dental visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says that children should see a dentist by age one, or when the first tooth emerges. Although it may seem rather sudden, babies can get cavities as soon as the first tooth is present. Because this can all be very overwhelming for new parents, we put together a guide on what to expect at your child’s first visit to the dentist. 

 

What We Do at Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment

At Brentwood Pediatric Dentistry, we are aware of the setbacks that can keep your child from wanting to see us. That is why we make it a point to keep your child at ease in order to make sure that each visit is quick and painless. As soon as they enter our office, we will do everything to make them feel welcome. We believe that a child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. 

 

Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment: The Treatment Area  

A dental hygienist will take you and your child back to a comfortable treatment area we’ve designed to make kids feel at ease. Depending on your child’s age, we may have them sit on your lap during the exam. By age 4, however, your child will be able to sit in the chair all by themselves. Once settled, our dentists will be sure to explain everything that they do before they start. This way you and your child can know exactly what to expect, and you can help walk your little one through all the necessary steps. We don’t usually need to do a dental X-ray on a small child. If we do, we can make sure to address any concerns you may have. Simply put, we are here to work with you and your child together, and want everyone to feel relaxed in our office. 

 

Meeting the Dentist at Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment 

When you’re done with everything else, we wrap up the visit by filling you in on what else to expect as your child’s teeth continue to emerge. Our dentist will go over things like pacifier use, brushing and flossing, thumb sucking, and any other tips we feel the need to include. We are always happy to answer questions you may have, so don’t hesitate to do so! Our purpose is to make sure everyone is satisfied with their experience. 

 

Schedule an Appointment Today 

At Brentwood Pediatric Dentistry we are always happy to have more people join the family. Whether you are a parent looking to book your child’s first dental appointment, or you are just looking for a new pediatric dentist for your child, we would love to see you! Contact us today to book an appointment!