We are a family practice. We see all ages of patients, from 2-102! Most of us have children of our own and we love having your little ones at our office. It brings us great joy to work with them twice a year and then, before you know it, they are all grown having kids of their own!
Most Pediatricians and the marketing world at large would have you believe that your child needs to visit a Dentist as early as the first 6 months of age. As a parent, we encourage you to be aware of your baby’s oral development. We are happy to see your child at any age, especially if you think there might be something unusual happening.
Some things to watch out for and we would recommend you bring your little one in for an immediate appointment if you have any questions or concerns with the following:
Early tooth decay: Anything besides water, (such as juice or milk) in a baby’s bottle can cause “baby bottle tooth decay”. Examine your child’s teeth regularly for any discolored areas, or areas that appear whiter or darker than the rest of their teeth.
Teething: This happens mostly in the first 6-12 months but can last up to age 3. This is a normal process when the gums are red and sore. It will resolve as the new teeth erupt. We can provide you with tips on how to survive the teething process!
Development Issues: Abnormal growth and development of the baby teeth, permanent teeth, jaw or mouth can lead to long term mouth & health problems. Always let us know about your child’s missing teeth or any mouth or facial trauma when they come in for a visit.
Most children come into our office between the ages of 1 and 3 for their first visit. Generally, this is a consultation with the parents and a “happy visit” for your child. We want to develop trust with your little one and let them know that this is fun place to visit. We will let them ride in the chair, either solo or sitting on Mom or Dad’s lap. We may count their teeth and take a “look see” in their mouth. They may also get to play with the suction and air and water tools. This is a great time for parents to ask any questions they may have about their child’s oral health, hygiene habits & learn some tips and tricks on how they can help their kiddo learn to start brushing, as well as how to care for their child’s mouth. We’ll provide FUN and toys and often we have such a great time with your little ones, they will actually look forward to their next visit to see us!
If we should find any issues, we can provide dental care for your child if they are cooperative and happy during the procedure. If it becomes traumatic in any way, we will refer you to a Pediatric Dentist (a dentist that specializes in children’s dentistry).
We are always here to help you with any questions you may have about your child’s oral health. Feel free to call us if you have any concerns.
We look forward to seeing you and your children at our office!
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