What to Expect at Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Our pediatric dental office in Long Island gets asked questions quite often, and we’re always here to help in any way we can. One of the more common questions we get is from new parents curious about when they should bring their child in for their first dental appointment, and we’re more than happy to guide them.

First Visit by First Birthday

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children see their pediatric dentist by their first birthday, or within six months of getting their first tooth. Some may be surprised by the early timing, but studies show it’s an important step in protecting growing smiles. In fact, many kids get cavities as early as age 2, and the occurrence of cavities in preschool aged children is on the rise — more than 1 in 4 have had at least one cavity by age 4.

What to Expect

At your child’s first visit to her pediatric dentist in Long Island, she’ll have a quick exam to start getting her comfortable with dental visits. During this exam, the dentist will check for any areas of concern, evaluate her risk for developing cavities, and look for any potential issues with her bite, gums, and jaw.

Your child’s dental team may also discuss some things with you that can help keep your child’s smile healthy in between office visits. Some of these items may include:

• Tooth brushing tips
• Appropriate use of fluoride
• Teething
• Oral habits like thumb sucking
• Nutrition for healthy teeth

Following the visit, your child’s dentist may recommend a schedule of how often she should be seen. The schedule varies depending on your child’s need and cavity risk level. Typically, she should start to see the dentist every six months as she grows.

Why a Pediatric Dentist?

There are many different types of dentists, and they all have specific training to treat different types of patients. When it comes to pediatric dentists, 2-3 years of additional education specifically designed around dental care for infants, toddlers, children, and even those with special needs is required.

If you’re looking for a dentist for your child, give our Long Island pediatric dental office a call to schedule an appointment.

Accepting new patients from Long Island, Westbury, Nassau County and the surrounding areas.

About The Author

Dr. Glen Ehrenman

In April this year, Dr. Glen Ehrenman received a Lifetime Diplomate status and an award from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD), where he has been a diplomate since 1995. Since 2010, he has been a clinical assistant professor and mentor at the State University of New York Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine. He has memberships with dental organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, New York State Dental Association, and the Nassau County Dental Society. His commitment to excellence earned him the Top DDS of 2012 award from Long Island Pulse Magazine.

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