Is Pediatric Dentistry The Way To Go?

The first “regular” dental visit your child should have is just after their third birthday. Knowing your child is nervous, it is usually short and involves very little treatment. Dentistry for children is essential and should not be overlooked.

If your child has signs of uncertainty, we may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. You may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit to make sure your child is used to building a relationship between your child and your dentist.

We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on your child’s permanent teeth’ progress under the gums).

We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay.  Most importantly, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store.

During your first visit, the dentist will:

• Examine your mouth, teeth, and gums.
• Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking.
• Check to see if you need fluoride.
• Teach you about cleaning your teeth and gums.
• Suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

What about preventative care?

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in dental sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth.

Dental sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one way to set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.