F i r s t  A p p o i n t m e n t s

Baby & Me Appointment  /  The First Visit

Best for Your Baby
THE "BABY & ME" APPOINTMENT

In order to prevent dental problems, we recommend that you visit our office when the first tooth appears or by your baby's first birthday. Baby teeth help children chew, speak clearly, hold the place for the permanent teeth, and are important for appearance.

During THE BABY & ME APPOINTMENT Dr. Azama or Dr. Wong will examine your child's teeth and check for decay and proper eruption. All the tissues of the oral cavity will be viewed and screened for diseases and your baby's dental growth and jaw development will be noted.

This early appointment is the "Best for your Baby." You will receive valuable information in several areas by a highly trained member of our staff that can influence the health and well being of your child.

Teething is a common concern among parents.  (Scroll down or click here to view a tooth eruption chart.) You will learn what to expect and some helpful strategies for dealing with teething discomfort.

During this appointment you will learn how to clean your baby's teeth effectively. We will teach you an easy way to use gauze when the first tooth appears, and the correct way to use an infant's safety toothbrush. We will also suggest methods that can help you brush your baby's teeth when they wiggle. 

Early childhood cavities are heartbreaking. We will discuss how cavities are formed and ways to prevent them. We will discuss feeding habits that can contribute to this devastating disease.

Our pediatric dental practice is proactive in the area of nutrition. We will provide you with the newest trends and medical research in the field. Good nutrition influences not only the growth of the teeth, but also the growth of the brain and body. We will help you identify foods and habits that contribute to health and those that contribute to dental disease.

We will inform you of the benefits of fluoride, what products to use, and when you should start using a fluoridated toothpaste.  We will also discuss accident and injury prevention.  We know that toddlers are active and can injure themselves, especially when learning how to walk.  We want you to know what to look for, and what to do if your child injures a tooth.  Creating a safe environment for you child is essential and we have some simple guidelines that we know you will appreciate!

Many parents want to know about thumb and pacifier habits and if they can cause long term damage. Some babies naturally have a strong sucking reflex. We can inform you of problems that can arise and offer some strategies on how to stop them.

Please bring your baby in for THE BABY & ME APPOINTMENT.  We are certain that you will enjoy your time with the doctor, have your questions and concerns addressed, and learn some valuable information!

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“Building the foundation of good dental health for a lifetime”
THE FIRST VISIT

KidSmiles welcomes all children and families to our practice.  We look forward to meeting you and your child for The First Visit!  Our goal is to provide you with superior dental healthcare in a positive and gentle environment.  We hope to establish

a growing partnership with you, the parents and our patients,

because we know that good dental health requires teamwork.

At this initial visit, we will review the health history and will examine and clean the teeth. We will provide you with the newest findings in preventive dental health education and nutrition so that your child can enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth.

We pride ourselves in creating a positive First Visit experience. We establish trust with our younger patients and put them at ease. We will explain the dental chair, our equipment, and our tools in a fun and imaginative way. We ”show and tell” then “show and do” to make your child feel relaxed and comfortable. We understand that some children may be fearful and we are flexible in our approach and agenda.  For instance, your child can sit on your lap for the examination. One of our most important goals is to create good rapport and develop a trusting relationship with your child.

We want you to accompany your child to this important First Visit. We have a 100% open door policy. Bring your questions and concerns and we will answer them, hopefully putting you at ease. Your child’s dental health and systemic health are vital to us.

Parents and children will receive oral hygiene instructions and techniques in brushing, flossing and establishing an effective dental healthcare routine. Many parents want to know if their child is doing a good job with brushing and when they can brush independently. We can answer your questions and give you ideas on how to motivate children in their dental care.

Around the age of four and a half, we will take your child’s first dental radiographs (X-rays). We have the newest and safest digital X-ray equipment and we are extremely skilled in making this procedure easy and fun for your child. We also want you to know that our sterilization equipment is state of the art and we constantly strive for excellence in establishing a healthy, safe environment.

Good nutrition dramatically influences dental and systemic health. You will receive information about the bottle and sippy cup, healthy snacks, and the harmful effects of sugar. You will learn how to prevent diseases of the teeth and gums.

Upon visiting our office, you will feel the warm attitude of our staff. Our dental professionals are highly trained, each bringing their own gentle touch to the practice of children’s dentistry. We understand the child’s need to go slowly and have things explained to them. We also have positive reinforcement charts for creating new habits like flossing or for giving up habits like a pacifier.  Discovering our toy box is always a fun part of the visit. We reward your child for trying and doing their best.

Many parents want to know how often their child needs to come to the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a check-up each six months to prevent cavities and other disease. At each dental recall we check the growth and development of your child’s mouth and check for the need for braces.

We appreciate every patient in our practice. Please let us know if your child has any special needs.

For your convenience we've provided forms for you to view and/or complete prior to your first appointment.  Please click here to go to our Patient Forms page.

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