Child’s First Visit
Our Napa Valley dentist is a top patient-rated pediatric dentist
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should see a dentist by their first birthday, or within six months of the eruption of the first tooth. This early exam and consultation with a pediatric dentist can help protect your child’s smile during the crucial developmental years of their teeth and body.
Are dental visits for babies and toddlers really necessary? It is important to know that there are many aspects to your child’s oral health, even when they do not have a full set of teeth yet. In addition, a positive dental visit at an early age can lessen anxiety and stress about future visits to the dentist as an older child or adult. At Alora Pediatric Dentistry, we go out of our way to make your child’s first dental visit a relaxed and fun experience.
What to Expect on Your Child’s First Dental Visit
During your child’s first dental visit, we will take measures to keep them comfortable at every step of the visit. This is beginning with our welcoming staff and kid-friendly amenities in the waiting room. Your child’s exam will involve meeting with one of our talented pediatric dentists, who will perform a gentle, but thorough evaluation of the mouth, teeth and gums. This first visit is focused on assessing the health, placement and growth of the primary teeth, as well as allowing time for a consultation with each parent on how to properly care for a child’s teeth at home.
Parents are welcome to accompany their child to the treatment room during this first visit. Children may certainly bring a special lovey or blanket along if it helps your child feel more at ease. You’ll find that our pediatric dental team is well-trained to treat and interact with young patients in a positive way. To lessen your child’s anxiety before the appointment, we have found it best for parents to avoid focusing on the upcoming visit too much. This often creates more stress for a young child who does not know what to expect.
If your child has a special concern, please make us aware of it. We are exceptionally equipped to accommodate all types of pediatric needs, whether it involves dental anxiety or a physical disability. Contact us to schedule your child’s first dental visit with Napa Valley’s most trusted pediatric dental team today.