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KIDS ZONE

Our office, as well as the The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a "Dental Home"for your child by one year of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.

You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.

It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as "needle", "shot", "pull", "drill" or "hurt". The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.

Step 1

Five Steps for Baby’s First Dental Visit

STEP 1

Clinical Examination by Age 12 Months

STEP 2

Caries Risk Assessment
  • Complete medical history

  • Knee-to-knee exam with guardian

  • Note clinical dental caries

  • Soft tissue irregularities

  • White-spot lesions, tongue anatomy

  • Enamel decalification, hypoplasia

  • Dietary staining

  • Bottle or breast fed at night on demand

  • Non-water in bedtime bottle

  • Decalcification/caries present

  • No oral home care

  • Sugary foods, snacks

STEP 3

STEP 4

Diet Counseling for Infants
Oral Home Care for Infants
  • No juice or milk in bed

  • Sippy cups can encourage decay

  • Avoid sugar drinks, sodas

  • Encourage variety and a balanced diet

  • Low-sugar snacks

  • Fluorides – topical and systemic

STEP 5

 Future Visit
  • Brush/massage teeth and gums 2x daily

  • Small, soft toothbrush

  • Tiny amount of toothpaste, with Fluoride

  • Guidance on thumb sucking, pacifier

  • Response for home accidents, trauma

  • Based on Risk Assessment

  • At age one year

  • Two years if delayed in development

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