Plan Your Visit
When Should a Child First Visit the Dentist?
(AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT)
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist by age one. This initial visit for babies is more about allowing your child to become familiar with the dental team and their dentist, rather than treating your child’s teeth. It’s an excellent way to help them feel at ease in the dental office, by sitting in the chair and having some fun checking out all the dental equipment. During your visit, we’ll check your child’s teeth development and we can also offer parents and carers tips for oral health care.
This first appointment for babies or toddlers can help to create a positive association with dental care in your child’s mind. It can greatly reduce the chances of any dental-related anxiety in the future. You can rely on the friendly and caring team at Children’s Dental Care Inc. to make sure your child has a positive experience.
What Should You Expect at the First Dental Visit?
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND CARERS
For young children, parents or carers can sit with their child throughout the entire appointment. Our team will evaluate your child’s teeth and do an oral health check. We will do a professional dental cleaning, provide a fluoride treatment, and talk about brushing habits and diet. Of course, treatment at the first appointment may vary according to the age of the child. For babies with just a few teeth, the visit is really more about familiarizing them with the dentist, the dental practice, and the experience of having their teeth examined. For an older child, the team will look for potential orthodontic problems and help educate your child about the importance of proper brushing habits. Your child’s comfort is our top priority and we want to help our young patients feel empowered to take charge of their oral health.
For independent research about pediatric dentistry, parents and carers are encouraged to check out the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website, which offers a range of useful resources.
How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dentist Visit
USEFUL HINTS AND TIPS
There are many ways you can prepare your child for their first dental visit. We recommend:
It can be useful to explain to your child what will happen at their dentist visit using role play. Simple commands like “open your mouth,” “smile,” and “say ahhh” can make the process fun. If you have an older child, they might like to play the role of the dentist and you can be the patient and show them what to do.
Reading books about visiting the dentist can be incredibly helpful, and there are many books on the topic to choose from. Find one that you like and read it regularly to your child. Most of these books have positive messages about why we need to look after our teeth, and they reinforce that dentist visits can be fun and there is nothing to be afraid of.
YouTube has a large collection of relevant videos. Try and find a video about your child’s favorite character visiting the dentist. It can help to explain what happens during a dental visit and can help make your child feel at ease.
As a parent or carer, you may also be nervous about your child’s first visit to the dentist. Keeping calm yourself can be useful if you’re trying to keep your child calm about the visit. There really is nothing to worry about. Our friendly team will ensure your child’s visit is as stress-free as possible.
How Can I Encourage My Child to Look After Their Teeth?
AT-HOME TEETH AND ORAL HEALTH CARE
The team at Children’s Dental Care Inc. can provide you with a range of resources to help encourage healthy dental habits at home. A good at-home teeth and oral health care routine is just as important as regular dentist visits. One of the common issues we come across is baby bottle tooth decay. If a baby is put to bed with a bottle of milk and they sip it over an extended period, the prolonged exposure to the sugar in the milk can cause decay. To avoid this, parents should give their child a water bottle or a pacifier overnight or during naps instead to keep them content without the continual sugar exposure.
A good diet is key to maintaining healthy teeth. Minimizing sugar and eating a healthy and well-balanced diet can help to avoid cavities and major dental issues. Good dental habits, such as twice-daily teeth brushing and flossing (for older children), are an important part of an effective at-home routine. Feel free to ask our friendly team for advice or suggestions and they’ll be happy to help you.
Insurance & Financing
We offer flexible payment options so your child can get the care they need, when they need it.
Children’s Dental Care Inc. accepts cash, certified checks, money orders, and Visa and MasterCard. We also accept most major dental insurance plans. Insurance policies do vary, but our team will provide you with an estimate for all costs prior to treatment.
No insurance?
CareCredit is an affordable financing option for dental treatment. This is a third-party financing option that offers a $0 down payment and low monthly payment options.