Children’s Dentistry
Let’s face it: not every adult looks forward to their upcoming dental appointment. Convincing children to look forward to their first appointment or return for a follow-up appointment, can be twice as daunting as convincing ourselves. But as adults know, oral care is a necessary part of life.
By establishing a good relationship between a child and dentist early on, we encourage our children to commit to a routine of self-care that will go with them for the rest of their lives.
Although a visit to the dentist may be difficult for them at first, children are fast learners. Children typically grow to a point where they look forward to a prize from the dentist’s prize chest.
At Dentistry Elevated, we understand that, for children, life is about adventure. Our team of compassionate professionals looks forward to making a good first impression with young patients. Best of all, children brighten our office while we brighten their smiles!
Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, parents should schedule a dental appointment for around the same time that an infant’s first tooth develops. For many infants, this occurs sometime before or slightly after the one-year mark. But with only one tooth to examine, what is this first dental appointment really about?
Your child’s first dental appointment has two key outcomes:
- Examining oral health and tracking expected development.
- Acclimating your child to the dentist’s office and exam.
After a brief appointment, Dr. Coleman or Dr. Dastrup and our team will walk parents through the next stages of at-home oral care. Just as the lifestyle choices of adults can impact their oral health, there are several habits infants have that may affect their development. Bottle use, thumb-sucking, and proper nutrition can inform your child’s early oral development and should be considered when discussing your child’s past, present, and future oral health. For the brightest future and the best relationship with a dentist, starting your child out early is the best way to go.
Baby Teeth, Baby Steps
At Dentistry Elevated, we understand the difference between treating adults and treating children. Our team of compassionate experts knows how to put children at ease and put more complicated concepts into language that children can understand.
Establishing a good rapport with children from an early age is crucial in starting a lifelong relationship. For these reasons, our team is extra careful not to create negative feelings about the experience inadvertently. As parents ourselves, we know how frightening it can be, and we’ll do everything in our power to put your children at ease so they can get the care they need.
As baby teeth grow, they provide a necessary template for the placement and growth of adult teeth. By developing good habits and understanding early, your child has a better chance of taking oral health more seriously as they grow. Good oral habits are challenging enough for adults to maintain, making it even more important to start your child’s oral health and hygiene journey on the right foot.
Children’s Dentistry FAQs
Emergency Pediatric Dental Care
Despite our best attempts, children have a rough and tumble way of learning about their world. Accidents happen, and we’re here for those too. If a fall or trip has chipped, broken, or knocked out a tooth, we’re here to recommend a course of action and, more importantly, to calm your child and give them the peace of mind they deserve.
Schedule Your Child’s First or Next Appointment at Dentistry Elevated
To start your child out on a lifetime of good oral health and hygiene, consider starting them as early as possible. Good memories inform good behavior, and as parents, we won’t always be around to make sure that our children are taking the best care of themselves. As fathers themselves, Dr. Coleman and Dr. Dastrup know the struggle of getting children to sit still. That’s why we tailor our practice to treat every member of your family, even the newest!