First visit

The first dental visit is not only important to establish a positive relationship with the young patient, but we, as dentists have a great opportunity to educate and shape children to be positive about oral health.

Here at TinySmile dentistry we have an entirely different approach to dentistry......because we know how scary a visit to the dental office can be.

We have an entirely kiddie friendly approach, we make dentistry FUN!

When should your child first visit the dentist?

Your child’s first Dentist exam should be within 6 months after the first tooth comes in and no later than their 1st birthday as is recommended by the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (AAPD). The purpose of the first visit is to build a trusting relationship with your child. A dental visit at an early age for a ‘check-up’ and further advice from your dentist is important for the oral health and well-being of your child.

What happens at the First visit?

Besides checking for tooth decay, your dentist assess for any other problems such as lip or tongue ties, adverse habits such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing, or baby bottle caries. She can also inform you about good oral hygiene habits and healthy dietary choices. Starting dental visits at an early age will help the child feel more relaxed at consequent visits.

Tips for parent on the First visit:

As a parent, you can help make your child’s first visit to the dentist positive and enjoyable. Be sure to inform your child of the visit and its purpose, but take care in how you present it. You may want to show your child photos of the dentist and other happy children on our website. Please avoid using words that cause fear such as “needle” or “drill”, as this can put fear in a child. Most importantly, please don't tell your child that the experience could be painful.

Parents are welcome and encouraged to accompany their child during the initial exam. This gives us the opportunity to communicate directly with you about your child’s dental health.