Information for Parents

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Many parents ask “What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?”

We suggest you prepare your child for their first dental experience, in the same manner, you would prepare them for their first day of school. Be positive, supportive and encouraging. Have fun reading books about dentistry with your child and encourage play behaviors that mimic a dental visit with your child being the dentist and you the patients.

Talk about how the dentist and assistant will help keep your child’s teeth healthy and how they care about children – use our “gentle dental terminology”

  • Count Teeth = Examination
  • Tooth Counter = Dental Explorer Instrument
  • Pictures of Teeth = X-Rays
  • Tooth Vitamins = Fluoride
  • Tooth Paint = Sealants
  • Tooth Polish = Prophylaxis with a rotary toothbrush

Think POSITIVE! Your child’s first visit to the dentist may surprise you!

Understanding Dental Care for Infants and Toddlers

Birth to Six Months

  • Clean mouth with gauze after feedings and at bedtime, clean the tongue with wet gauze
  • Ask your Pediatrician or Pediatric Dentist about Flouride supplements if you consume well water
  • Regulate feeding habits

Six to Twelve Months

  • First, tooth should appear; time to schedule an initial exam with our doctors
  • Begin to brush your child’s teeth after each feeding
  • When baby begins to walk, be alert to dental injuries
  • Wean an infant from the breast or bottle by the first birthday

Twelve to Twenty-Four Months

  • Follow schedule of exams and cleanings recommended by our doctors
  • Start using pea-size portions of fluoridated toothpaste when your child is able to rinse and expectorate. Ask us which toothpaste we recommend for your child
  • Most Primary (Baby) teeth should have erupted by age two

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