First Visit

Board-certified specialists in both Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

located at: 12314 Potranco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78253.

New parents have plenty to worry about: making sure their baby is healthy and happy, re-arranging their lives around hectic schedules and lost sleep, and figuring out what to do in all sorts of novel situations. When it comes to your child’s oral health, though, there’s plenty of help available. It all begins at our office, when you bring your youngster in for his or her first visit to the dentist.

When will we meet your child? According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child’s first checkup should occur by age one. Surprised? You shouldn’t be! Even though there may only be a few baby teeth visible at that age, there are plenty of things we can start working on — including the development of healthy habits that will make future visits to the dentist far more pleasurable.

Unfortunately, some kids develop tooth decay at an early age. We will be on the lookout for cavities — but that’s only one reason for an early visit to our office. Equally important is reviewing the proper ways to care for a young child’s mouth, going over your child’s developmental milestones, and discussing the importance of good oral hygiene.

Preparing for Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Preparing your child for their first dental visit can help ease fears or anxieties about visiting the dentist. Here are some tips to help prepare your child for their first visit to Bexar Orthodontists & Pediatric Dentists in San Antonio, TX:

Start talking about dental care early: Talking to your child about dental care and the importance of taking care of their teeth can help to normalize the dental care experience.
Read books about visiting the dentist: Many children’s books are available to help prepare your child for their first dental visit.
Schedule the appointment when your child is well-rested: Scheduling the meeting when your child is well-rested can help to ensure that they are in a positive mood and ready for work.
Let your child bring a favorite toy or blanket: Allowing them to get a favorite toy or blanket can help them feel more comfortable and secure during their visit.

The Checkup

When you and your child are comfortably seated in the office, we’ll spend a few minutes getting to know each other and explaining what we will be doing. Then, we’ll perform a gentle examination of the mouth. We will be looking for any early signs of dental problems such as tooth decay, and assessing the risk that your child may develop the disease in the future. Often, this kind of risk assessment can help us prevent — and even reverse — the early stages of tooth decay, without any drilling.

Finally, we’ll discuss various ways to keep your child’s oral health in top condition. For instance, we may talk about how diet, eating habits and oral hygiene practices can help prevent tooth decay, the most common chronic disease of childhood. That’s an important subject for everyone — even more so if your child is at greater risk. If any treatments (such as fluoride) are needed, we will explain what they are and why we recommend them. We will also review tips on cleaning and brushing effectively, and we’ll schedule a follow-up visit as required.

Many habits are developed early in life. That’s why it’s important to “get it done by age one.” So when it’s time for your child’s first visit… don’t hesitate! You’ll be glad you came in.

At Bexar Orthodontists & Pediatric Dentists, we understand the importance of making your child’s first dental visit a positive and enjoyable experience. Our team of dental professionals is dedicated to providing compassionate and gentle care for children of all ages, and we are committed to helping your child achieve and maintain optimal oral health for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

If you are looking for a pediatric dentistry provider for your child in San Antonio, TX, contact Bexar Orthodontists & Pediatric Dentists today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced dental professionals. We are here to help your child achieve optimal oral health and make their first dental visit a positive and memorable experience.