FIRST VISIT
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, every child should visit a Pediatric Dentist at approximately 12 months of age or when the 1st tooth erupts. After the initial visit, visiting the dentist every 6 months will help your child maintain optimal dental health.
We are committed to providing a positive experience for your child’s first visit to the dentist. When preparing your child, please reinforce the idea that going to the dentist is a fun and comfortable experience. Please try to avoid using words like “pain,” “needle,” “shot” and “hurt” when talking to your child about the dentist. We will always tell your child about each procedure and how it works, show your child what it looks like, and then perform the procedure when they are comfortable. If you are anxious about the visit, your child will sense that and will be anxious as well.
We strive to provide a fun and supportive environment for children. Our approach to dentistry for children is “Tell, Show, Do.” We will only use the most comforting and positive words and phrases when talking to your child.
Our goal is for both you and your child to leave our office calm, happy and smiling from ear to ear!
Common First Dental Problems
Toothache
Gently clean the area around the tooth, rinsing the mouth with warm water and gently flossing to remove any particles that may be lodged in the tissue around the tooth. If you child is still experiencing pain, please call our office to schedule an appointment. Do not place aspirin on the aching tooth. If the area around the affected tooth is warm, apply a cold compress and call our office immediately.
Cut lip, gum cheek or tongue
Apply ice to help reduce swelling and apply pressure with a clean cloth or sterile gauze to stop any bleeding. If the bleeding will not stop, call your physician or visit your local emergency room.
A baby tooth gets knocked out
Please call the office to schedule an appointment.
A permanent tooth gets knocked out
If your child loses a permanent tooth, please call the office immediately. It is crucial to replace the tooth as quickly as possible. Handling the tooth by the crown, gently rinse the tooth, avoiding touching the root if at all possible. If you can place the tooth back in it’s socket, have your child bite down on gauze to keep it in place until you get to the office. If you can not place the tooth, put the tooth in a small container of milk or saliva until we can try to re-attach the tooth.
A tooth gets chipped or broken
Gently rinse the area with lukewarm water and have your child place a cold compress on their face to reduce swelling. If you can locate the piece of broken tooth, place the piece in milk, and bring it with you to the office. If more than half of the tooth is broken off, please call us immediately.