Why should I even take my child to a dentist? The baby teeth will fall out anyway.

Your child's first set of teeth, the primary teeth, are extremely important. Strong, healthy primary teeth help your child chew food easily, learn to speak clearly, and look good. Just as important, your child's general health can be affected if diseased and broken primary teeth are not treated early. Taking your child to the dentist regularly can prevent serious dental disease. Preventive services such as fluoride treatments and sealants are less costly than the fillings, crowns and other treatments that your child may need if the teeth are neglected. Regular dental visits can save time, money and your child's teeth.

At what age should my child first see a dentist?

Ideally, it is best to take your child to the dentist between six and twelve months of age. The earlier you begin, the better chance your dentist has to prevent problems. In addition to checking for decay and other problems, the dentist will teach you how to properly clean your child's teeth daily, evaluate any adverse habits such as thumb sucking, and identify your child's fluoride needs (see below regarding thumb sucking and pacifier habits). By starting dental visits at an early age, you will help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.

Are the adverse habits such as thumb sucking or pacifiers, bad for the teeth and jaws?

Most children stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers or other objects on their own between two and four years of age. Harmful results occur from repetitive or prolonged sucking habits.

How often should my child see the dentist?

While there is no set rule, it is generally recommended that children visit the dentist every six months. Because children's dental needs differ, however, your dentist is best able to suggest a schedule of visits for your child. The frequency of dental visits will partly depend on your child's eating habits, how clean his or her teeth are kept and whether your child drinks fluoridated water.

How should I prepare my child for their first visit?

You play an important role in preparing your child for his first visit to us. The first visits to the dentist may be the most important in your child's life so we ask that you help by reinforcing our role as a "tooth doctor" who works to keep teeth healthy and happy. Be relaxed and at ease with your child. Any anxiety on your part will be sensed by your child. Tell your child that we will "count" and "take pictures" of his teeth, and then talk afterwards about it. Don't use words that may create fear in your child such as "hurt, shot, drill, X-ray, or needle". Don't relate any negative experiences you may have had as a child, and don't let other people tell your child stories that may provoke fear.

Our offices are specially trained to handle children and have been doing so for over 20 years. We know how to make the experience pleasant for the child. Rest assured we will treat your child as gently as we would treat our own.

What is your procedure with a child?

We will explain our procedures to your child in easy understandable terms before we do it. Remember, we are pediatric dentists, and children are our only patients.

At this first visit, we will answer any questions you may have and do a comprehensive examination of your child's mouth. This will include evaluating the supporting structures and the teeth themselves. Your child's bite (occlusion) will also be evaluated. Usually, we will clean a child's teeth at this first visit also. Application of topical fluoride will depend on the child's age and the need for X-rays (tooth pictures) will be determined on an individual basis (not routine). Subsequent appointments may be scheduled for cleaning, fluoride treatments, or other things as needed.

Your aim as a parent and ours as pediatric dentists are the same. To keep your child's teeth and mouth in good health and to make the process "painless" for child, parent, and dentist!

What if my child cries?

Crying is a normal reaction to almost any kind of anxiety in a young child. New experiences, strange people and places fit in that category for the very young. Please do not let your child's occasional tears upset you as it is very common and we anticipate crying in some small children. The more relaxed we are the sooner the child will overcome his/her anxiety.

Pointers for Parents.

Don't!

• Bribe your child into going to the dentist.
• Use a dental visit as a punishment.
• Let the child know you feel any anxiety about going to the dentist.
• Let anyone tell your child scary stories about dental visits.
• Use words like hurt, pain, needle, drill, shot, etc.

• Try to make dental visits enjoyable for your child, we will do our best to assure this!
• Let your child go into the treatment room alone, if this is what the doctor prefers.Set a good example!
• Brush and floss your own teeth daily, and visit the dentist regularly.

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