When should your child first see us? By age one!

Your First Visit Will Be a Breeze

We want your family’s experience with APDAO to be a wonderful one, starting with your child’s first visit. We recommend you schedule an appointment for your baby or child as soon as their first baby teeth erupt, or by their first birthday. The sooner you bring them to the dentist – the better baseline our dentist will have for your child’s dental development. Here are some things to expect.

Healthy Habits Start at Home

The best way to make your child’s first dental appointment a good one is to start the conversation at home! Giving your child expectations about what will happen during their first exam and cleaning can help relieve any anxiety they may be feeling. If your child is too young to understand what ‘going to the dentist’ may mean, you can demonstrate healthy dental habits (like brushing twice every day for two minutes each time, flossing daily, adding a fluoride mouthwash to your routine, and drinking plenty of water) at any time and any age.

What to Expect

Our caring team of dental professionals work hard to make our office at APDAO a fun and comfortable one! Our dental assistants are pros at answering any question your child may ask – and we love explaining the process of good teeth cleaning! If your child cannot sit by themselves or feels extra anxious, you are welcome to hold them on your lap during the exam and cleaning. Your first visit will be spent getting comfortable interacting with the dentist, and your child’s dentist will examine your baby’s teeth. The dentist will look not only for signs of tooth decay, but also for any conditions that may require special care. Overall, the goal of a child’s first appointment is primarily as an important educational opportunity for parents. Discussions will include teething, proper eating habits, and more. We’re here to answer all of the questions you may have about your child’s dental health, and can’t wait to see you!

Give our New Patient Coordinators a call at any of our office to get started!