Your child’s first dental visit is a significant milestone in their oral health journey. Scheduling your child’s appointment with a pediatric dentist who knows how to make dental care fun effectively promotes positive dental visits and ensures your child gets the expert care they need.
Our Las Vegas pediatric dentists understand the importance of a first dental visit for babies and parents. Let’s look at when you should plan your child’s first dental appointment, what to expect, the benefits of pediatric dentists, and some tips for your child’s first dental visit.
Your child’s first dental appointment is a significant milestone. Positive dental appointments can help reduce or prevent dental anxiety in children, while avoidance of routine checkups can increase it. While your child may be too young to feel guilty about missing appointments, routine checkups help catch oral health issues early, helping your child avoid the need for invasive dental treatments.
Your child should have their first dental appointment by the time they celebrate their first birthday.
When Do Babies Need Their First Dental Visit?
Some babies need to see a dentist when they start teething. Although the timeline for teething can vary, most babies get their first teeth before they start crawling. Central incisors, the central bottom teeth, usually arrive first when babies are as young as 6 months. Upper central incisors arrive next, around the age of 8 months.
You may contact a pediatric dentist and book your child’s first dental appointment when they cut their first tooth. If you have concerns about the tooth’s alignment or your child’s oral health, you should take them to the dentist immediately. Your pediatric dentist will explain routine dental care habits you should employ to promote oral health at home.
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How To Prepare Your Child For Their First Dental Visit
Preparing for your child’s first visit with their Las Vegas dentist increases the likelihood your child will have a positive experience. These tips can help your child have a successful first dental visit:
Choose the right time: Plan an appointment when your child is usually awake. Do not plan appointments that conflict with meal or nap times, as being hungry or tired can make them grumpy or cause behavioral issues that interfere with their appointment.
Be positive: Your child can pick up on your feelings and is more likely to be nervous or upset if you’re anxious about their appointment.
Provide support: Let your child bring toys or comfort items, like a blanket. Ensuring your child has what they need to feel comfortable can help them feel secure and even enjoy their appointment.
Offer incentives: Plan for a special treat or reward after a successful dental visit. Planning a fun outing after an appointment is a great way to promote a tradition that will inspire your child to look forward to their trips to the dentist instead of dreading them.
Absolute Dental also provides specials on dental care services and a Smile Saver plan that delivers affordable care to patients without dental insurance.
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Both my kids are patients here
Both my kids are patients here and my son also has orthodontia treatment here and I'm very happy. The staff…
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Give great direction on handling charges and insurance!
I love this place because they are really down to earth. Not stuffy like most medical offices. The staff will…
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Love the team here!
Awesome staff, they are very helpful. Best dentist and very gentle I actually enjoyed my visit to Absolute Dental they…
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April S.
Love my results!
Just got my braces off today!! So happy with my beautiful teeth and my results!!!! HUGE s/o to Madonna for…
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Great with my kids!
I took my kids here to get a second opinion on some work that needed to be done on their…
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Great team!
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Amazing staff!
If there were 5 more stars I would give this place a 10 all the way! I had a chance…
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Thank you Absolute Dental!
Respectful explanations and careful pain-free work. Thank you Absolute Dental!
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Awesome Experience
The experience that I had at Absolute Dental was awesome. I hate going to the dentist but it’s comfortable here…
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Incredibly helpful and nice
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We Accept Most Dental Insurance
Absolute Dental is a preferred provider for most insurances, unions, and hotels that include: Aetna, Ameritas, Boon-Chapman, Caesars Palace, Cigna, Delta Dental, Diversified, Geha, Guardian, Harrah’s, HealthSCOPE Benefits, Health Plan of Nevada (HPN), Humana, Liberty, Met-Life, MGM-MIRAGE, Premier Access, The Standard, Station Casinos, Teachers Health Trust, United Concordia, United Healthcare, Venetian, and The Zenith. We also accept Medicaid.
If you do not see your dental insurance listed here, just give us a call to confirm!
Pediatric dentists learn how to treat children to prevent anxiety and create comfortable environments where children can receive the dental care they need. Pediatric dentists create welcoming environments that appeal to children and promote excellent oral care habits to protect your child’s teeth and oral health.
First Dental Visit
You should provide your child’s dentist with your child’s health history at their first appointment. You should also have a list of questions about your child’s oral health. Your child’s first dental appointment may include an examination of their teeth, gums, jaw, and bite. Your child may also have a teeth cleaning, and their dentist may demonstrate how to floss their teeth. Your child may need X-rays if there are concerns about decay or malocclusion.
Early Childhood Oral Care
Oral care begins with using a cloth to wipe your baby’s mouth. This removes bacteria and helps prevent cavities. You can use a soft bristle toothbrush to brush your child’s teeth twice daily after they begin teething. A pediatric dentist can recommend the right toothpaste and when to include fluoride in your child’s oral health routine. Note any oral health changes or concerns and discuss them with your child’s dentist as soon as possible.
Thumb Sucking And Dental Health
Thumb sucking is common, and most children stop without serious oral health issues. However, thumb sucking does increase the risk of infections, which is one reason to consider using a pacifier instead. Your child can damage their teeth or affect their alignment if they apply too much pressure when sucking their thumb. Children with malocclusion may need children’s braces to correct the alignment.
