Before Your Child’s First Appointment
Taking your child to the dentist for their very first visit may cause some anxieties for you as a parent, especially if you yourself have suffered from dental fear in the past. We are going to strive to make their first visit a very positive experience for both of you! Please avoid using any negative terms such as hurt, needle, shot, etc. as we never use words like these in our office. Never relay any kind of dental fears you may have, as this may lead to unnecessary anxiety for your child. Your child will be introduced to our office and instruments in a fun, non-threatening manner!
Our office also enjoys scheduling HAPPY VISITS, which is a time for your child to come in before their first visit. This serves as an opportunity for your child to meet the staff and Dr. Waters, tour the office, and get a prize! The goal is to make your child as well as yourself feel more comfortable about the first visit!
First Visit Under 3 (Baby Wellness)
We, as well as The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association, recommend that a visit to the dentist should be scheduled by the child’s first birthday. By getting started at a young age, problems can be detected, treated early, or avoided completely. More importantly, it can help establish a positive relationship between your child and the dentist. In the past it was thought that a child can wait to see the dentist until 3, 4, or even 5; however, often that does prove to be too late and thus we are intervening to correct problems instead of preventing.
Infant Feeding Concerns: If you believe that your baby was born with a tongue or lip tie, Dr. Waters is extremely knowledgeable and understands the importance of relieving these restrictions as early as possible, utilizing the most advanced laser technology. To ensure the utmost success of the procedure, we utilize a team approach where we will work alongside other healthcare professionals to optimize the success of the release for you and your infant. The team may include a pediatrician, lactation consultant, bodyworker (physical therapist, chiropractor), or myofunctional therapist.
What To Expect At Your First Visit?
Dr. Waters will do a complete comprehensive examination of your child’s teeth and mouth while checking for decay and any other abnormalities that may be present. Your child’s growth and development of the jaw, spacing for permanent teeth, proper alignment and occlusion (bite) will be evaluated as well. X-rays may be taken to look for hidden decay in between the teeth and to check on the proper development of the unerupted permanent teeth. A preventative dental prophylaxis (cleaning) will be completed including a fluoride treatment. Dr. Waters and her staff will advise you on a program of preventive health care including brushing, flossing, proper nutrition, and the use of fluoride. They will also go over information on growth and development, what you need to know about preventing injuries to the mouth and teeth and provide a cavity risk assessment.
