A Lifetime Of Smiles Starts With A Good Foundation
Start your children on the path to good oral hygiene habits from a young age and keep track of their development as they grow into their radiant smiles. We recognize the complexities and joys of caring for a family, and we know that children require extra attention. A healthy smile is a vital aspect of childhood, so let’s guide them in the right direction with tailored advice suited to their unique needs.
Getting Ready For Their First Appointment
Feel free to talk to your child about the upcoming trip to the dentist. The main purpose of your child’s first visit is to relax, have some fun, and start building a positive relationship with the dentist. Sometimes, not knowing what to expect can make people feel a little nervous. Here’s what your child can expect during their first appointment:
Talk and Listen
We’ll engage with both you and your child, discussing what we’ll do and the reasons behind it, and introduce your child to some of the tools we use. Our communication is in child-friendly terms, and we’ll clarify any jargon to ensure your child feels as relaxed and confident as possible. You’ll see, there’s nothing frightening about us!
Gently Examine
We will conduct a careful examination of your child’s gums, tongue, teeth, and general oral health. Our assessment aims to identify any areas that might require additional care or attention at home. Following this, we’ll offer tailored advice and ensure to focus closely on these specific areas in the subsequent visit.
Educate
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children typically begin teething around 6 months of age. It’s advised that they have their first dental visit by age 1, or within 6 months after their first tooth appears. If you think there might be an issue, or if your child is experiencing discomfort or pain, please schedule an appointment promptly. Remember, it’s never too late for a child’s first visit to the dentist.
Baby teeth play a crucial role, just as much as adult teeth do. It’s important for parents to realize that baby teeth serve functions beyond just reserving space in the jaws for permanent teeth. The condition of a child’s teeth can significantly influence their facial appearance, the way they smile, and the frequency of their smiles. Children who grow up with the confidence to smile broadly often maintain this habit into later life. Even mild dental pain, which children might adapt to, can have long-term adverse effects on their eating habits, including the way they chew, their food preferences, and their overall food intake.
The duration of the appointment varies based on the child’s needs and their level of cooperation during the exam. However, an appointment usually lasts around one hour.
Following the initial visit, your child should visit the dentist with the same regularity as you do. We suggest scheduling a checkup and cleaning every 6 months, unless advised differently. If your child experiences tooth or jaw pain, frequently rubs or holds their jaw, or avoids hard or cold foods, please arrange an appointment earlier.
Your mouth isn’t just your teeth. It’s a whole system including teeth, tongue, gums, cheeks, glands, ligaments, joints, bone and more. When one aspect of your oral health sugars, your whole mouth suffers. Swollen itchy, sore or bleeding gums can be an early indicator of a much more serious problem.