The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends regular dental visits for children at 1 year of age. Let the first tooth remind you that it's time to see your pediatric dentist. At our office we refer to the first visit as a "well baby check", and our goal is to provide information about how to start caring for your child's teeth. We will discuss any habits such as bottle-feeding at night, pacifiers or thumb sucking and answer any questions you may have. At this visit we usually recommend that regular office teeth cleaning and fluoride treatment begin at 2 ½ years of age.

A parent will play a large role in preparing their child for their dental visit. Children are keen and can sense if you are nervous or display any anxiety. You can help to make their visit to the pediatric dentist enjoyable and positive by following these few tips. Use positive language around your child when discussing his/her first visit and role-playing with your child such as counting teeth together. Children's books and videos are also available to help familiarize them with what to expect at their first appointment. Your child's dental visit should be an important and fun adventure and if you are relaxed and positive about this experience, it will help them be positive, too.

We recognize that every child is unique. Therefore we can choose from a variety of approaches to make the 2 ½ year check-up comfortable for your son or daughter. The dentist will count and examine your child's teeth. We also may clean your child's teeth and apply fluoride. We will always give your child a lot of praise to ensure a positive dental attitude. Parents are welcome to either relax in our reception area or accompany their son or daughter into the treatment area.

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