Your Child’s First Visit To The Dentist

At Davidson Dental Group, we are often asked by parents about how to prepare a child for their first teeth cleaning. Dr. Davidson, Dr. Le and the staff have several strategies for parents to help prepare children for their first visit to the dentist. Your child’s reaction to the dentist may surprise you!

Your Baby’s First Teeth

The first teeth to come in for your baby will mostly likely be the two bottom front teeth, and they will probably come in when your baby is between 6 and 8 months old. Baby teeth are important as they not only hold space for the permanent teeth, but they are also integral in helping your child learn to chew, bite, and talk. For these reasons, it is very important to maintain a healthy diet and start daily hygiene when your child is a baby.

Next to follow will be the four, upper front teeth. The remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically, but usually teeth appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw. At 2 1/2 years of age, your child should have about 20 teeth, and this is when we suggest schedule your child’s first dental visit.

Preparing Your Child For The First Visit To The Dentist

Going to the dentist, or any new place, can be very scary for a child, so we have a few suggestions for making the first visit as stress-free as possible:

• Take your child for a “preview” of the office.
• Read books about going to the dentist.
• Tell your child what the dentist will do, and speak positively about your own dental experiences.

If you have any other concerns about your child’s first teeth cleaning, please give our San Leandro office a call at (510) 352-9212 or send us an email.

Your Child’s First Visit To The Dentist

The first thing we’ll do is make sure your child is comfortable at our office. Then, we’ll begin examining the mouth, teeth and gums and evaluate any adverse habits he or she may have, such as thumb-sucking. We’ll also check to see if your child is ready for fluoride.

As a parent, you’ll be invited to stay with your child during the entire appointment to make sure he or she is calm and comfortable.

The Davidson Dental Group mission comes from the latin word for doctor, “docere”, which means to teach or to show. So we’ll use fun props and toys to teach your child the best ways to brush their teeth and take care of their gums.

Usually, children have a great first experience at our practice and sometimes, the child does not want to leave! Our front desk will help you schedule for regular dental visits to keep a careful watch on your child’s developing teeth.

What about preventative care?

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand-in-hand. At our practice, we are concerned with all aspects of preventive care. It is possible that our staff will 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 of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of excellent oral health.

Let us help your child have healthy teeth and gums for life! Give us a call at (510) 352-9212 to schedule your child’s first dental visit.