The First Dental Visit

Pediatric dentists like to see children after their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. Seeing a pediatric dentist early helps ensure that cavities are prevented instead of filled.

Often, parents are anxious about how their child will react to the dentist because they have had bad experiences themselves or they have heard about how scary the dentist is.

Just remember that our job as pediatric dentists is to put your child at ease and we do it daily. Some parents over-prepare by reading every dentist related book to their child and describing in detail what they imagine will happen. Don’t do it.

Just as you probably would not be too concerned about taking your child to the zoo for the first time, you should not worry about their first dental visit.

If we can see them before any problems arise, then it is all fun and games. When there is a cavity or other concern, remember that times have changed and your child will be kept as comfortable as possible by having the pediatric dentist explain to them in carefully selected words what will happen.

Out of the best of intentions, parents will scare their children unnecessarily by saying: shot, needle, yank, drill, hurt, etc. Please let us use the words that hundreds of other children have found more comforting and still convey the same message.

Parents are always welcome to accompany their children anywhere in our office. We think that you will appreciate what we do to keep your child happy and appreciate our patience in those times when they are not.