According to ADA guidelines, infants should initially visit a dentist around the time of their first birthday. First visits can be stressful for parents, but our doctors specialize in care for the whole family and want to ease the mind of parents and children when they visit our office. It is imperative for parents to continually communicate positive messages about dental visits and to help the child feel as happy as possible about visiting the dentist.
There are several goals for the first dental visit that will assist with setting the tone for future oral care. First, the dentist and the child need to get properly acquainted to establish a level of trust. Once established the dentist needs to monitor tooth and jaw development to get an idea of the child’s overall health history, the health of the existing teeth and gums. Finally, the dentist aims to answer questions and advise parents on how to implement a good oral care regimen.