As soon as your baby’s first tooth erupts, you can book an
appointment with a pediatric dentist. It’s a fact that baby teeth are
eventually shed starting at age six but all the same, you should keep
those tiny teeth and gums healthy to create a healthy foundation for a
beautiful smile. By now, your baby may have a few teeth in, so book
their first dental appointment today if you haven’t already.

If your baby has the signs below, do not wait:

• White spots on the teeth or gums
• Mouth ulcers
• Bluish bruises on the gums
• Teeth grinding
• Tongue thrusting

How to make your baby’s first visit easier

The first visit should be fairly easy because your baby is having
his/her first experience. If you succeed in making this fun and
interesting, you minimize the chances of dental anxiety in your child as
they grow up. Here are some useful tips:

1. Choose a pediatric dentist.

Pediatric dentists specialize in babies and children. They know how
to handle younger babies and older children using languages that they
understand most and that’s the languages of toys, music, video games,
etc. They also have a colorful setup that’s appealing to your baby.

2. Use positive language about the dentist

You can tell your child that dentists help their teeth become
stronger. Do not use a dental visit as a threat such as “if you don’t do
this, I’ll take you to the dentist.” These ments build negative
emotions toward the dentist.

3. Cheer them

During the appointment applaud your child for anything they do right,
even, opening their mouth when the dentist asks them to do so.

What to expect with a first visit

The first visit is usually straightforward. The pediatric dentist
starts building a relationship with your baby. They’ll mostly just play
around.

The dentist with then open your baby’s mouth and examine the teeth,
gum, and tongue. If they notice something unusual they’ll follow it up.
If all looks okay they’ll talk to you about oral health habits at home
and also guide you on nutrition so that you can avoid foods that have a
high risk of developing cavities.

We make the first visit easy for you and your baby. Talk to us to
schedule an appointment.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child start visiting the dentist as soon as the first tooth appears or when they turn one year. Babies get cavities too. Many parents don’t realize the benefits of visiting a pediatric dentist early. If you haven’t started pediatric dental checkups for your child, here’s what you need to know:

• According to research, 21% of American children between ages 2 and 5 have cavities. That’s the number one reason why you should start dental visits very early. Even if your child has one tooth, that tooth can develop cavities.
• There are many things you don’t know about the oral health of your baby, and taking them to the pediatric dentist provides an opportunity for you to learn.
• During pediatric dental visits, you have an opportunity to ask questions. This provides you with an opportunity to clear the myths about baby teeth that are passed on from generation to generation.
• During a pediatric dental appointment, your dentist examines the overall oral health of your baby including checking to see if they are at risk of developing problems in the future.

What to expect with a first visit

During your first visit, your pediatric dentist will examine your baby’s teeth and gums.  They also check whether your baby requires special care for example they may notice dental enamel defects.

Your pediatric dentist will also talk about nutrition. They’ll tell you about foods that increase the risk of cavities.

You’ll also learn about simple daily oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing that are proper for your baby’s age.

Pediatric dentist vs. family dentist

So what if you already have a family dentist? We advise that your baby should see a pediatric dentist or a family dentist who has also specializes in pediatrics. This is because pediatric dentists not only examine, diagnose and treat children, they also have special skills for handling children even if they have dental anxiety. Visit us  or call us to make an appointment for your baby.