Your Child’s
First Dental Visit
Even though we usually cannot see them, babies are born with a full set of teeth that is embedded in the jaw. Getting that first tooth is an awesome experience, and one that occurs between 6 months and 1 year of age. While this moment is a major milestone, it is important to note that a child is at risk of cavities as soon as their first tooth appears. Due to this, parents often ask when their child should see the dentist for the first time. Ideally, this would occur when their first tooth appears but certainly no later than their first birthday.
As A Father Himself, Dr. Lorents Is Excellent With Children
At the Dental Arts Center, we are definitely a kid-friendly dental practice! Dr. Eddie Lorents and our staff members are parents themselves and are very patient and caring with children of all ages – from babies to teens!
One of the greatest conversations we have with parents about their children’s teeth is that baby teeth do indeed matter! Many parents assume that they are not very important, since they will soon fall out and be replaced by permanent adult teeth. However, it is important to be mindful of the fact that baby teeth stick around for many years, and having healthy baby teeth is essential for properly eating and developing speaking skills. Additionally, in order for your child to transition from baby teeth to healthy adult teeth that are properly aligned, ensuring that baby teeth stay in place as long as possible will greatly help with this process and possibly prevent the need for braces. If you are looking for a dentist for your child, please consider bringing them to the Dental Arts Center. We’ll ensure that their first experience is fun, effective & enjoyable!
Schedule TodayWhat To Expect On Your Baby’s First Dental Visit
When bringing your baby into our office, you can expect a bunch of warm, friendly, and caring faces to greet them and make the experience amazing for both of you! A baby’s first visit is pretty quick and essentially gets them comfortable in a dental chair and with dental staff - which prepares them to have a lifetime of positive, routine dental cleanings and wellness exams! Most babies will sit in their parent’s lap at their first appointment while our dentist will take a gentle look around in their mouth to ensure there are no cavities or dental issues. During this time, we will also discuss dental care for baby so that you can be sure you’re doing everything at home to keep their mouth healthy!
Appointment RequestCan Multiple Children Be Scheduled Together?
As parents ourselves, we understand that it may be much more convenient to bring in all kids at the same time! If this approach works best for your schedule, we will do everything we can to make it work – either at the same time or with back-to-back appointments on the same day. Please simply make the request , and we are happy to accommodate!
“As a father, I really love the opportunity to make dental experiences positive for kids. A lot of dental anxiety and phobias start from negative childhood experiences at the dentist, so we go above and beyond to ensure that your child’s experience is a very fun and enjoyable one. We wouldn’t have it any other way for our own kids!”
Eddie Lorents, DDS
How Do I Prevent Bottle Tooth Decay?
Unfortunately, bottle tooth decay is a very common problem we see with babies. Sugary drinks in a bottle – including formula, breast milk, and fruit juices can all cause decay. Generally, this problem is seen in the front teeth. Parents of babies with bottle tooth decay often report that they are put to bed with a bottle or give their baby a bottle to soothe them, in place of a pacifier. Then, baby falls asleep with the bottle left in their mouth and the bottle stays there for hours while baby sleeps. To prevent or minimize the chances of your baby developing bottle decay, we recommend removing the bottle from your baby’s mouth as soon as they are finished drinking and wiping down the teeth and gums with a clean damp cloth.
How Can I Soothe A Teething Baby?
Around six months old, most babies start teething and since they experience considerable pain during this time, they will not be shy about letting you know! To soothe gums that are swollen and tender, you can gently rub or massage the gums with your finger (they may bite!) and also give them a teething ring made of firm rubber to chew. Many babies enjoy a cold teething ring, but be sure that it is not frozen or it can hurt their gums. We can speak with you about other ways to soothe a teething baby during your appointment, as different methods will work for different families. We can also discuss pacifiers and thumb sucking, as both of these soothing methods come with risks that can cause serious problems with tooth alignment and overall dental health.
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