Your child’s first visit to the dentist can be an exciting day, and it can set the stage for a lifetime of good oral health. Our goal is to make the first visit fun and stress-free for you and for our new patient. We use child-friendly terms and explanations for everything that we do so that a visit to the dentist is seen as a positive experience. This method is typically called TSD (Tell. Show.Do).
Tell your child about the visit, but don’t get into detail. Let us answer their questions about the visit and the “magic wands” used in dentistry. Sometimes a ride in the dental chair and a simple counting of all the teeth followed by a toy from the treasure chest is all we are able to accomplish and that is just fine. We are looking to build trust and try to keep your child in their comfort zone.
Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but their fears may stem from the “unknown” or the thought of being separated from a parent during treatment.
We look forward to meeting you and your child and establishing a long lasting relationship.
Why Primary/Baby Teeth are important:
Primary teeth, or baby teeth are as important as permanent, or adult, teeth. A child usually has all of their primary teeth by the age of 3, and lose them by age 12 or 13. Baby teeth are more than just “space holders” for permanent teeth. They help to maintain good nutrition by allowing children to chew properly, and aid in the development of clear speech and normal facial appearance. Decayed and missing baby teeth can make it difficult or painful for a child to eat, and infected baby teeth can damage the permanent developing teeth. At the end of the day, a healthy smile is a great boost for a child’s self-confidence.
