Your Child’s First Dental Visit in Reno

What To Expect During Your Child’s First Dental Visit

After your child’s first tooth comes in, it’s time to think about their first dental visit. While parents know dental care is essential, bringing your little one to the dentist for the first time can be quite daunting. What will the dentist do, and how will your child react? Knowing exactly what to expect can help calm nerves, and prepare you and your child.

When you see a children’s dentist in Reno, the first appointment typically involves these steps:

• Initial introduction: First, we’ll sit down with parents and their child to get acquainted, discuss concerns, and walk you through the rest of the visit.

• Discussion of oral hygiene practices: We’ll also talk about at-home practices, and what you can do to keep your child’s teeth and gums clean.

• Examination of mouth: After your child settles in, we will look in their mouth to examine their teeth, gums, and overall oral health. For young children, you can hold them in your lap during this process.

• Introduction of dental tools: The pediatric dentist will introduce the dental tools in a fun way, letting your child hold and look at them. When children are included and allowed to explore, it makes them feel more at ease.
• Cleaning and polishing: If your child has multiple teeth, we will quickly clean and polish them to remove harmful bacteria and plaque buildup.

The first visit is crucial because it sets your child’s expectations for all visits to follow. This is why we do our best to make it fun, interactive, and stress-free for parents and children. You can expect to be with the dentist for about 20 to 30 minutes, and leave with a better idea of how to keep your child’s smile healthy at home.

Get discounts on dental care with our Smile Saver program.

Tips To Prepare Your Child for Their First Visit

It’s important to prepare your kids for their first visit to the dentist for everything to go smoothly. Some things you can do to get your child ready include:

• Use positive language to explain what a dentist is and what they do
• Read books or watch videos about visiting the dentist
• Practice role-playing, allowing your child to switch between patient and dentist
• Let your child ask questions and address their concerns
• Dress your child in comfortable or familiar clothing
• Allow your child to bring their favorite blanket or toy

It helps to schedule your appointment at a time when your child is most calm. For example, your kids may feel tired or hungry in the afternoons, making morning dental visits more ideal.

Also, a little reluctance and wiggling are all normal reactions during a first dental visit. We completely understand that this is a different environment for you and your child, and it may take some time to adjust. Our team will work with you to create a positive experience that sets the foundation for future dental care.

Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist in Reno?

As the most trusted dental care provider in Nevada, Absolute Dental offers quality dentistry for kids in Reno. We have multiple offices that make it easy and convenient for parents to stay on top of their children’s smiles.

Our pediatric dentists are proud to serve the Reno community and help families to prioritize their dental health with affordable care and exceptional service.

Book an appointment at Absolute Dental online.