BABY'S FIRST VISIT

What Parents Can Expect at the Exam

You will be asked to complete medical and health information forms concerning the child during the first visit. Please come prepared with the necessary information.

The first dental visit is usually super informative but involves very little treatment. The parent or guardian will accompany the child to a consult room and the dentist may ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the exam.

During the exam, your dentist will check all of your child's existing teeth for decay, examine your child's bite, and look for any potential problems with the gums, jaw, and oral tissues. The dentist will discuss with the parents about oral health care basics for children, discuss dental developmental issues and answer any questions.

Topics your dentist may discuss with you:

• Good oral hygiene practices for your child's teeth, gums and cavity prevention

• Fluoride needs

• Oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking)

• Developmental milestones

• Teething

• Proper nutrition

This is not a one time visit but the beginning of regular dental visits starting at age one!

Why a One-Year Old Exam is Important

Baby teeth are very important to your child’s health and development. They help him or her chew, speak and smile. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded. That’s why starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.

More on Dental Health for Children

Click on a topic below to learn more:

• When Do Baby Teeth Come In?

• Healthy Habits

• Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

• Mom's Guide to Fluoride

• Eruption Charts

• Thumbsucking and Pacifier Use

• Breastfeeding & Dental Health