The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child’s first “regular” dental visit should happen no later than their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6 to 12 months of age) get proper dental care right from the beginning.

Baby teeth are crucial for your child’s oral development, as they hold space for permanent teeth and aid in proper chewing, speech, and appearance. Typically, baby teeth begin to emerge between 6 to 12 months, starting with the two bottom front teeth. The full set of 20 baby teeth usually appears by the age of 2.5 to 3 years. Teething can be uncomfortable, but you can help by gently rubbing your baby’s gums or giving them a teething ring. For any teething concerns, consult a pediatric dentist in Delray Beach for advice.

Taking care of your child’s teeth from the moment they start to appear is essential. Begin by wiping their mouth with a wet cloth, and then use an extra soft toothbrush designed for children to prevent tooth decay. Around the age of three, you can start brushing their teeth with a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. Teaching good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day, will keep their smile bright and healthy. Regular visits to a nearby pediatric dentist will also help maintain their dental health.

Preparing for Your Child’s First Visit to a Kid’s Dentist in Delray Beach

Preparing your child for their first visit to a pediatric dentist near you is a crucial step in ensuring a positive and stress-free experience.

If your child is prescribed medications, you may choose to bring the prescription with you to show it to the doctor.

Bring dental and medical insurance cards with you to your appointment. When transferring from another dental practice, we will request all prior dental records be sent to us for your approval.

We encourage you to make visiting the dentist an adventure. At home, please avoid phrases such as “it is not going to hurt”, “you will not get a shot” etc. Research has shown that these phrases may create stress before the appointments and may cause unnecessary apprehension and fear. Instead, you may say that the “dentist may take special pictures of your teeth using x-ray vision like the superheroes” or “the dentist will count how many teeth you have” or “the dentist will brush your teeth”.

The first visit to our office is very important, and our goal is to make it a memorable first impression!
For young children (4 years or younger), we highly recommended the visit take place in the morning time. Children are more rested and more cooperative as opposed to during their nap time or after daycare or school. This makes a huge difference in your child’s ability to cooperate. We are happy to provide excuse forms for work and school to accommodate this schedule.

Upon entering the office, you will be greeted immediately by our friendly staff. Our specialized dental assistants will walk you and your child to their dental chair, and introduce the child to the dental equipment. We will begin by gaining and establishing trust with your child using behavior management strategies. After a rapport is established with your child, they will clean your child’s teeth and take x-rays if needed. One of the doctors will then meet the child and the parent to perform a thorough examination. We will spend sufficient time with you and your child reviewing the cavity process, diet, hygiene, thumb-sucking, pacifier use, fluoride exposure and much more! We will also review if we found any cavities, discuss a treatment plan, and review all options available to provide an enjoyable patient experience.

The first visit to a pediatric dentist in Delray Beach or Lantana, is an essential milestone, and we aim to make it a memorable and pleasant experience.