Building a solid foundation is the key to a lifetime of smiles.
Provide your children with a strong foundation for excellent oral hygiene habits, and track their development as they blossom into their radiant smiles. We recognize the unique challenges and rewards of family care, especially when it comes to kids. Nurturing a healthy smile is a vital aspect of childhood, so let’s embark on their journey with tailored guidance that meets their specific needs.
Getting Ready For Your First Appointment
Don’t hesitate to have a conversation with your child about the upcoming dentist visit. The primary goal of their first visit is to create a relaxed and enjoyable experience while establishing a positive connection with the dentist. It’s natural for people to feel a bit anxious when they’re unsure of what to expect. Here’s what your child can anticipate during their initial appointment:
Talk and Listen
We will engage in a conversation with both you and your child, providing explanations for our procedures and their purposes. We’ll also introduce your child to some of the tools we use. Our approach involves using kid-friendly language and demystifying any unfamiliar terms, ensuring that your child feels as comfortable and confident as possible. See, we’re not at all intimidating!
Gently Examine
We will conduct a gentle examination of your child’s gums, tongue, teeth, and overall health. Our thorough examination will reveal any areas of concern or specific areas that might require extra care at home. We’ll offer personalized guidance and make a note to give special attention to those areas during the next appointment.
Educate
We may request that your child demonstrates their tooth-brushing routine, and then provide them with gentle instructions on how to enhance their tooth-brushing technique at home. We’re here to address any questions that you or your child may have regarding dental health.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s recommended to schedule your child’s first dental appointment around their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting.
Yes, children can get teeth cleanings. Dental cleanings are an important part of maintaining oral health, and they can start as soon as a child has teeth, typically around age one.
Children should see a dentist regularly, beginning with their first dental appointment by age one or when their first tooth appears. Afterward, it’s advisable to schedule regular dental check-ups every six months, or as recommended by the dentist, to monitor their oral health and address any concerns early.
– Positive Communication: Talk to your child about the dentist in a positive and reassuring manner. Avoid using negative words or scary phrases that may create anxiety.
– Role-Playing: Pretend play dentist at home with your child. Use a toothbrush to “examine” their teeth and show them that a dental check-up can be fun.
– Books and Videos: Read age-appropriate books or watch videos about visiting the dentist to familiarize your child with the process.
– Visit the Office: If possible, visit the dental office ahead of time. Some offices offer “meet and greet” sessions where children can explore the environment without any dental work being done.
– Explain the Process: Explain what will happen during the appointment in simple terms, emphasizing that the dentist will count their teeth, check for “sugar bugs” (cavities), and make sure their teeth are healthy and strong.
– Be a Role Model: Let your child see you maintain good oral hygiene habits. Brush and floss your teeth together so they can learn by example.
– Comfort Items: Allow your child to bring a comfort item, like a favorite stuffed animal, to the appointment if it helps them feel secure.
– Praise and Reward: Offer positive reinforcement for good behavior at the dentist’s office, such as praise or a small reward.
– Stay Calm: It’s essential for parents to stay calm and relaxed during the appointment to prevent passing on any anxiety to the child.
– Follow Recommendations: After the appointment, follow any recommendations provided by the dentist for ongoing oral care and maintenance.
By taking these steps, parents can help their child feel more comfortable and prepared for their first dentist appointment, setting a positive tone for future dental visits.
Parents should schedule a dentist appointment for their child before the first scheduled visit if they notice any of the following signs or symptoms:
– Tooth pain or discomfort
– Swelling, redness, or soreness around the mouth
– Bleeding gums
– Persistent bad breath
– Tooth discoloration
– Chipped, cracked, or loose teeth
– Unusual tooth development
– Prolonged thumb-sucking habit
– Difficulty chewing or speaking
– Previous dental trauma
These signs warrant prompt attention to address potential dental concerns.
Learn of the many ways we've enhanced the smiles and dental experiences of so many clients in the St. Thomas area.
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Happy with my smile
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