Child's First Dental Visit

The initial appointment for your infant will be brief yet meaningful, typically not exceeding 45 minutes, at our practice. The aim of this preliminary consultation is to provide guidance on proper oral care and eating habits, and establish a dental base for continual access to dental welfare.

Before we begin, we might inquire about your child's existing habits, followed by a thorough inspection. We generally conduct examinations in a knee-to-knee posture that enables us to examine the mouth, teeth, and typically overlooked regions, such as the rear side of the frontal teeth. Verifying the condition of lingual surfaces is particularly crucial if your infant has a tendency to breastfeed during the night. Your child can stay in your lap, facing you and holding your hands while we carry out the examination. A mild cleaning and fluoride application are integral parts of your child's first visit at Ceres Kids & Family Dental. We consistently endorse fluoride treatment as an efficient method to shield teeth from decay; nevertheless, we accept that some parents might opt against including fluoride treatment.

We strive to make each visit as pleasant and enjoyable as possible, but it's not uncommon for some infants to shed tears during a dental check-up. This is typical behavior for their developmental stage, so there's no cause for concern.

Most of your visit will revolve around an easy-going, informal discussion about the assessment of cavity risk and preventive advice. Our dedicated team will be on hand, enthusiastic to address any queries or worries you might have.

A common question from parents is:

How should I cleanse my child's teeth?

As per the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the use of fluoride toothpaste, which aids in preventing cavities, should commence with the emergence of the very first tooth. The notion of initiating this from age 2, as was formerly suggested, has been revised. A smear of toothpaste, roughly the size of a grain of rice, is sufficient for your baby or toddler, and this can be increased to a quantity comparable to a pea by the time they turn 3.

Establishing proper oral hygiene rituals should not wait for the appearance of the first tooth. Regularly wiping your baby's gums with moist cloths is an excellent way to ensure their dental health gets off to a good start.

While it's often suggested to initiate your child's dental visits around their first birthday, the actual age for their first dentist appointment can vary—sometimes it's at 2, 3, or 4 years old, or even later. And that's perfectly okay!

We're prepared to welcome your child whenever you decide it's time for their first dental visit. By the age of 2 1/2 to 3, toddlers usually have a full set of baby teeth and begin to establish contact between them. This period presents an ideal opportunity to cultivate good dental habits and transform the initial dental visit into an exciting adventure. We constantly adjust our approach based on your child's age, temperament, and developmental readiness as we embark on this journey of dental health together.

To ensure the best experience, aim to book an appointment when your child is well-rested and alert - typically in the morning. You can provide them with a basic understanding of what's to come, but steer clear of using words that might induce fear. Let them know that a dentist is a doctor who helps in developing healthy, joyful smiles and engages in role-playing activities with them.

There are numerous dental-themed books and dentist games available to foster an enthusiastic attitude and comprehension about dental visits. If you've ever had a nerve-wracking dental experience yourself, make a conscious effort not to pass that stress onto your child as they can easily pick up on your anxiety.

Some children have a strong gag reflex, so we recommend arriving at their appointment with minimal to no food intake. Consuming snacks such as biscuits or sweets could potentially complicate the dental examination. To keep them occupied while waiting, their preferred toy or item could be brought along.