We understand that bringing your little one to the dentist for the first time can cause some anxiety for both the child and the parents. We strive to make your child’s first dental experience fun, comfortable and educational right from the start.
What Happens at the First Appointment
During the first visit, our paediatric dentist will focus on getting your child familiar with the dental environment and making them feel at ease. We encourage parents to sit with their children in the dental chair so they feel safe and secure.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
Bringing your little one to the dentist for the first time can seem intimidating. At Dentistry Junior, we create a stress-free experience tailored to your child’s age:
- For Infants: During your baby’s first dental visit, the dentist will gently examine their toothless gums for signs of teething and check for any abnormalities in the mouth. We also inspect how teeth are positioned as they begin pushing through soft tissue.
- For Toddlers: The appointment starts by making friends with your toddler and making them feel comfortable. We explain what will happen in simple terms while they sit in parent’s lap in the dental chair. The pediatric dentist will count their teeth, assess teeth alignment and look for cavities or decay. If needed, we may ask for a quick, digital x-ray to check on incoming teeth or caries status.
- For Preschoolers: Older children have more teeth to inspect thoroughly. Dr. Shruti Jayasurya will check for plaque build-up, decay, and monitor proper eruption of permanent teeth alongside baby teeth. X-rays help reveal underlying dental health concerns, if any. We demonstrate tools like mirrors and suction so kids become familiar with the dental environment.
- For School-Age Children: Once kids are around 6-12 years old, we perform a more extensive oral exam looking at both primary teeth and the permanent teeth coming in. We also evaluate bite alignment and jaw positioning as the face and smiles change with growth. Digital dental x-rays become more important at this stage.
- For Teenagers: During the teenage years from 13-19, dental checkups focus on wisdom teeth evaluation, orthodontic assessment (braces analysis) and gum disease prevention as gums become vulnerable. We also guide teenagers to take responsibility for their own oral health.
- For Special Needs Children: Dr. Shruti Jayasurya customises dental care for special needs kids of all ages based on their unique requirements. We take extra time and precautions depending on medical history and abilities. Options include sedation procedures, sensory adaptation and therapeutic comforting during examinations as needed. Parental involvement is highly encouraged.
What We Check
During the initial visit, our specialised paediatric dentists check for:
- Proper teeth eruption patterns
- Signs of tooth decay
- Bite alignment issues
- Gum health
- Any oral health concerns
- We also guide parents on milestone ages for various dental procedures and how to care for your child’s oral health at home.
Making Your Child Feel Comfortable:
The prospect of visiting the dentist for the first time can create anxiety in little ones. Here are some dos and don’ts for making it an easier experience:
Do's:
- Schedule morning appointments when kids are well-rested.
- Make sure your little one has a full tummy.
- Read fun dental books and praise them for being brave.
- Read fun dental books and praise them for being brave.
- Allow your child to bring a special stuffed toy or blanket.
- Show images of what the dental office looks like and what will happen
- Role play dental examinations with stuffed animals at home
- Give lots of positive reinforcement and encouragement
- Keep your tone happy and calm even if your child gets upset
Don'ts:
- Schedule appointments close to nap/bedtimes
- Discuss your own negative dental histories
- Share your own negative dental stories, this may scare them
- Use scary terminology like “needle” or “injection”
- Bring overtired or hungry kids
- Depict the dentist as a threat (“ If you don't brush properly, you will have to go to the dentist” )
We hope this gives you a good idea of what to expect at your child’s first dental visit with us. Our goal is creating a warm, trusting environment between dentist and child to build the foundation for a lifetime of excellent oral health. Should you have any questions, feel free to call or Whatsapp us. We look forward to meeting you and your little one soon!
