Baby’s First Visit
Welcome to Sky Dental Kids, offering pediatric dental care for families in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Jersey City. Embrace the beginning of your child’s lifelong journey to a bright and healthy smile with your trusted local pediatric dentist.
When to Take Your Baby to the Dentist
The journey to strong, healthy teeth begins sooner than you might think. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that the first dental visit should coincide with the arrival of the first tooth or by the child’s first birthday. This first visit is just as much for the parents as it is the child, laying the groundwork for preventative health care and helping us guide you through your child’s oral development during these first critical years.
That said, if you’re late, don’t wait! We’ll be so happy to see your child for their first visit, even if they’re two or three or 16. No shame at all–we just want to help kids maintain the best oral health they can.
How Often Should My Child Go to the Dentist?
After that very first appointment, your litty-bitty should come back every six months so we can keep their teeth healthy, and so they can get comfortable coming to see us. Consistent visits help monitor development, prevent dental issues, and build a relationship with your child to help them feel comfortable with dentist visits.
How Often Should My Child Go to the Dentist?
What Does a Pediatric Dentist Do Differently?
Board Certified Pediatric Dentists, like ours at Sky Dental Kids, specialize in the unique dental needs of infants, toddlers, children, and young adolescents up to the age of 17. With extra years of extensive training dedicated to caring for young mouths, we are expertly equipped to address your child’s oral health through every stage of their development.
Pediatric dentistry isn’t simply grown-up dentistry, but smaller. Pediatric dentists receive extra training in child psychology, development, and behavior management. This education helps them understand and effectively respond to young patients’ anxieties, fears, and behavioral needs. They learn techniques to ensure a child feels safe and comfortable during dental visits, such as:
- Comforting and kid-friendly language.
- Demonstrate-then-perform methods, like our special “show, tell, do” approach.
- Distraction techniques.
- Constructive positive reinforcement.
Through this invaluable training, pediatric dentists cultivate an environment that’s not only less intimidating for children, but can also be positively fun and engaging. This creates an enjoyable atmosphere, encouraging children to develop healthy attitudes toward dental care that can last a lifetime.
Can Cavities in Baby Teeth Affect Permanent Teeth?
Even baby teeth can get cavities. Baby, or primary, teeth play an essential role as placeholders for adult teeth and aid in the development of speech and chewing habits. What’s more, when cavities occur in baby teeth, they can act as reservoirs of bacteria. If these cavities are not treated, the bacteria can potentially spread to the emerging permanent teeth, leading to cavities in those new teeth as well. This is not the only problem that can arise from untreated decay in primary teeth, but it’s one of the more serious possibilities.
Regular dental check-ups, good oral hygiene practices, a balanced diet, and early intervention when cavities are identified are paramount in preventing such adverse effects and ensuring the proper development of a child’s permanent teeth. Sky Dental Kids focuses on prevention and education, ensuring those tiny teeth stay healthy and serve their important purpose.
How to Prepare Your Child for the Dentist
First experiences shape lifelong perceptions, so we work hard at Sky Dental Kids to make all of your child’s experiences with us positive ones. But you might be wondering what you can do to prepare your little one before arriving. Here are a few ideas that can even work with the youngest of youngsters:
- Start oral hygiene early: Even before your baby has teeth, introduce a dental routine by cleaning your baby’s mouth and gums with a soft infant toothbrush or a cloth and water. This does help keep their mouth clean, but it also gets babies accustomed to dental care. Once they have a “toof” or some “toofes,” you can progress to a brushing routine with non-fluoridated toothpaste!
- Use positive language: Talk about the dentist positively around your child to build a sense of excitement and understanding about dental visits.
- Read books about the dentist: Choose age-appropriate books that explain a visit to the dentist, which can make them more comfortable with the concept.
- Morning appointments: Schedule visits in the morning when young children tend to be alert and fresh. This is an easily overlooked idea that can make a very big difference.
- Stay calm and supportive: Parents do often feel nervous about their kiddos’ dentist appointments, especially those early ones. During the visit, it helps soothe your child if you maintain a calm demeanor, since our little geniuses can pick up on parental anxiety.
- Offer comfort items: Allow your child to bring a favorite lovey or toy for comfort during the visit.
At Sky Dental Kids, we promote an environment that is as comforting and inviting as it is fun and educational. Our goal is for your child to look forward to their visits with us well into their teen years and beyond.
What Happens at Baby’s First Dentist Appointment?
We prioritize your child’s comfort every step of the way, easing into their first dental experience with the utmost care. Our pediatric dentist will:
- Gently assess your baby’s gums, jaws, and any erupted teeth.
- Demonstrate proper infant oral hygiene.
- Discuss teething, nutrition, and habits affecting oral health.
- Propose a future checkup schedule to monitor your child’s dental growth.
- Send you home with a goodie bag of age-appropriate accoutrement–toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
What if My Baby is Scared?
At Sky Dental Kids, we understand that new experiences can be daunting. Our team is trained to create a soothing atmosphere and to employ techniques that reduce anxiety. From a parent’s presence during the examination to child-friendly language and explain-in-play methods, we make dental visits less intimidating and more of an adventure.
Ready To Schedule Your Baby’s First Visit?
Getting started with Sky Dental Kids is simple. Contact us today, and let’s begin this exciting journey together. Become part of our family and let us be your partner in nurturing your child’s oral health right in the heart of NYC, Manhattan’s Financial District. At Sky Dental Kids, we’re not just about teeth—we’re about tiny milestones, big smiles, and healthy futures. Let’s make your child’s first dental visit a soaring success!
