Setting Your Child Up for a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
Iris Pediatric Dentistry - Kids Should Love Coming to the Dentist
Iris Pediatric Dentistry - Kids Should Love Coming to the Dentist
Give your kids a strong start with good oral hygiene habits, and let us help monitor their progress as their smiles grow and change. We understand how challenging, and how rewarding, family dentistry can be, and we know kids need a little extra care and attention along the way. A healthy smile is such an important part of childhood, and we’re here to help set your child on the right path with pediatric dental care that’s personalized to their specific needs.
What to Expect at Your Child's First Dental Visit
It’s a great idea to talk to your child ahead of time about their upcoming trip to the dentist. The main goal of a first dental visit is simple: help your child relax, have some fun, and start building a positive relationship with their dentist. Not knowing what to expect can make anyone feel a little nervous, so here’s exactly what your child can expect during their first pediatric dentist appointment.
Building Trust From the Start
We’ll take the time to talk with you and your child, walk through what we’re going to do and why, and introduce them to some of the tools we use along the way. We always speak in kid-friendly language and explain any unfamiliar terms, so your child feels as comfortable and confident as possible. Turns out, the dentist isn’t so scary after all.
Examining Your Child's Smile
We’ll gently examine your child’s gums, tongue, teeth, and overall oral health. This dental exam helps us spot any areas of concern or tricky spots that might need a little extra attention at home. From there, we’ll offer personalized guidance and make a note to keep a close eye on those areas during their next appointment.
Brushing Tips and Habits
We might ask your child to show us how they brush their teeth, then offer some gentle tips on how to improve their technique at home. We’re always happy to answer any questions you or your child have about oral hygiene and dental health along the way.
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to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your child will start cutting their first baby teeth at around 6 months old. It’s recommended that children see a pediatric dentist by age 1 or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in. If you suspect something might be wrong, or your child seems to be in discomfort or pain, please book a dental appointment as soon as possible. It’s never too late to schedule your child’s first dental checkup.
Baby teeth are just as important as adult teeth. Parents should know that primary teeth do far more than hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth. Children’s teeth can permanently affect how their face develops, how they smile and how often they smile. Kids who feel free to smile confidently in their early years tend to carry those habits forward. Dental pain, even mild discomfort that children learn to normalize, can have a lasting effect on their eating habits, including how they chew, what foods they prefer and how much they eat.
The length of your child’s dental appointment depends on their individual needs and how cooperative they’re feeling during the exam. That said, a pediatric dental checkup typically lasts about one hour.
After your first appointment, your child should visit the pediatric dentist as often as you do. We recommend a checkup and cleaning every six months unless otherwise specified. If your child has a toothache or jaw pain, is rubbing or clenching their jaw often, or is avoiding hard or cold foods, please book an appointment sooner.
Your mouth is a whole system, not just your teeth. It includes your teeth, tongue, gums, cheeks, glands, ligaments, joints and jawbone. When one part struggles, the rest of your mouth feels it too. Swollen, itchy, sore or bleeding gums can be an early sign of gum disease worth mentioning at your next appointment.
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