Children’s First Dental Visit

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children be seen for their first dental examination not later than their first birthday. This might sound early, but the sooner we start, the sooner we can begin to shape your child’s smile into the picture of optimal oral health. We can check for any early signs of developmental problems, teach you techniques for early home hygiene care, and get your child accustomed to the dental office.

We welcome you to accompany your child to the exam area. However, we have found that many children four and older enjoy their independence and respond more positively when seen without the parent present. If your child is comfortable with new experiences, we suggest that you allow your child to accomplish their dental visit independently.

Examinations

These first visits generally entail a simple visual exam of your child’s teeth and gums. We count the teeth, and we might perform a very gentle cleaning. We’ll also look for any developmental abnormalities.

Regular examinations help detect and prevent health issues before they become serious. Twice yearly dental check-ups help catch problems when they are small and easier to treat. Left unattended, small treatable problems become worse and may require more extensive, expensive procedures to repair. Dental examinations in our office generally include the following: