SMILE SQUAD
BABY EXAM
INFANT EXAM
Whether you’re an expecting parent or have a child younger than 12 months old, our goal is to help you and your child establish good dental habits and reduce the risk of cavities early on. The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. The first visit often lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child's age, the visit may include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development.
Toddler Wellness Visit
Your visit will start with a Caries Risk Assessment to see whether your child’s teeth have or are showing early signs of cavities. Our team will also provide you with oral hygiene instructions and guidance regarding diet, nutrition and other oral habits. The right nutrition and a simple fluoride treatment may be a sufficient alternative to a filling or restoration.
If this is the first time you’re visiting us, we’ll introduce you to the “knee-to-knee” exam method, which simply means your toddler will sit on your lap while we work.
What to Expect on Your Child’s First Dental Visit
CHILD’S FIRST VISIT
The first visit to the pediatric dentist lays the foundation for future oral care. In this visit, you will meet our team members and be introduced to the office, our policies and procedures. We take this time to get to know you and your child. Establishing rapport, confidence and trust are important. This is also a good time for you to ask any questions and voice any concerns you may have about your child’s oral health. The dentist will examine your baby’s mouth and the tooth or teeth present. Tooth decay can happen in primary teeth as well as permanent teeth. In fact, decay in primary teeth can put permanent teeth at a higher risk for decay. Allowing your baby to go to sleep with a bottle of juice or milk can cause decay. Sometimes this is referred to as “bottle mouth.” During this first visit, the dentist will discuss your child’s oral health and offer guidelines on how to keep your baby’s teeth healthy and clean. You may also receive information about:
- Baby bottle tooth decay
- Infant feeding practices
- Finger-sucking habits
- Mouth cleaning
- Pacifier habits
- Teething
Be sure to ask any questions you may have. Unless there are extreme circumstances warranting it, your baby will not have any dental x-rays. If your child has a few teeth, you may be shown how to floss them correctly.
How to Prepare for Your Child’s First Visit
Morning visits for babies are usually best because the child is alert and fresh. You may want to bring your child’s pacifier if you use one. Your dentist will be able to tell you what, if any, effect it may have on your child’s tooth development. All visits to the dental office should be a positive experience for your child, particularly the first ones. We use language that does not cause unnecessary confusion for children, and we ask that parents do the same. Please refrain from using words like needle, shot, pull, drill or hurt. Even as young as a year old, these words can cause fear and anxiety. is first visit. This gives you an opportunity to observe how our dental team interacts with your child.
How to Prepare for Your Child’s First Visit
Morning visits for babies are usually best because the child is alert and fresh. You may want to bring your child’s pacifier if you use one. You dentist will be able to tell you what, if any, effect it may have on your child’s tooth development. All visits to the dental office should be a positive experience for your child, particularly the first ones. We use language that does not cause unnecessary confusion for children, and we ask that parents do the same. Please refrain from using words like needle, shot, pull, drill or hurt. Even as young as a year old, these words can cause fear and anxiety. is first visit. This gives you an opportunity to observe how our dental team interacts with your child.
