Your Baby’s First Dental Appointment
The first year of your child’s life is full of milestones, and by their first birthday, it’s time to add another professional to your growing list of annual visits. We understand that visiting a new dental office can feel unfamiliar for both parents and children. At Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we aim to make oral health fun and accessible.
Parents of our pediatric patients often have many questions, and we’re here to ease your concerns. We help you set the stage for a positive experience and lifelong healthy smiles. Let’s discuss how your baby’s first dentist appointment at our Portland office will work and how you can prepare.
When Should a Child See a Dentist for the First Time?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend scheduling the first dental visit by the age of one. More specifically, you should contact a pediatric dentist within six months of your child getting their first tooth – most babies begin teething between three and six months of age. However, if you miss this mark, that’s okay! We welcome children of all ages to come in for their first exam and remain with our committed professionals throughout all of their oral health milestones.
Planning for Your Child’s First Dental Visit in SE Portland
Here are recommendations for every parent preparing for their child’s first visit:
- Make a morning appointment: We recommend scheduling early in the day when children are often at their happiest and most refreshed.
- Stay calm: We know that new experiences can bring up lots of feelings, and we’re here to help you and your child feel comfortable and confident about dental care right from the start. Try to treat the visit as a natural part of life and explain what will happen in simple, positive terms.
- Address fears: If your child has questions or feels curious about their visit, talk together about what to expect and highlight the exciting learning ahead. You can even find books that may help them see that going to the dentist can be an enjoyable experience.
What Happens During the Initial Visit?
Every first dental visit at our SE Portland office is scheduled with plenty of time to make sure your child feels comfortable at every step. Each appointment includes:
- Fluoride: Portland does not add fluoride to the water supply, but it is an essential nutrient for lasting tooth strength. We’ll show your child how the treatment is as simple as painting a paste onto teeth. Fluoride is an optional treatment that we will always discuss before applying.
- A tour: Kids are curious, and we encourage that by starting each appointment with a full tour of the appointment room and all the tools we use, so everything feels familiar and fun.
- An exam: Early dental exams are usually short since the child may not have all their teeth yet. We’ll look at their gums, jaw and bite to rule out potential issues early.
- Cleaning: Depending on their age, we will clean with a regular or soft rubber polishing brush, demonstrating the techniques they should use at home.
Can You Stay With Your Child During the Appointment?
Absolutely! We understand that you and your child may feel uncomfortable in the dentist’s office, and we want to do everything we can to help manage your stress about this important event. During the first appointment, we encourage you to keep your child in your lap while we do our exam and discuss their oral health. We make time to answer all your questions, and we even invite you to bring along a friend or family member to help you remember information and keep your child calm.
Tips for Visiting Your Buckman Neighborhood Pediatric Dentist
A good experience with your pediatric dentist starts at home. In the days leading up to your appointment, try to:
- Make the day special: Celebrate the experience by planning a fun outing to the park or a visit with a favorite relative to create happy, healthy memories together.
- Associate the dentist with positivity: If your child likes to play pretend, consider playing dentist with them so they can learn to associate it with doing something enjoyable.
- Frame the visit as an adventure: Our waiting room is full of toys, and every operatory has TVs playing kid-friendly movies. Let them know what to expect during their visit to build their excitement.
Connect With a Toddler Dentist in Portland, OR
At Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand the unique challenges of a first dental visit. Dr. Dana Fox, our board-certified pediatric dentist, has been where you are three times with each of her children. She understands firsthand what it’s like to navigate the journey of infant brushing and toddler independence, and uses her experience to support families just like yours. You can rest assured that the advice she offers comes from real-life experience and that she uses over a decade of professional experience to meet your child’s specific needs.
Give your child a clear path to exceptional oral health when you schedule their first appointment today.