We know that children are not just ‘little adults”. We understand childhood growth and development, especially tooth development!
Commonly asked questions about kids’ dental visits:
When should I bring my child in for their first visit?
-We recommend at 6 months or when you see the first baby tooth. This way, we can observe your child’s tooth development from the start and talk about preventing cavities. Cavities are the most common preventable childhood disease.
What if my child is scared of doctors? How do I make sure they have a good exam visit with you?
-You will be able to come to the exam room with your child, and be present for the exam, cleaning and any x-rays recommended by the dentist
-We will never force your child to cooperate. We will work with you and your child to set reasonable goals for dental visits.
-It helps to use positive words at home, before the dental exam. Practice “checking teeth” with a flashlight at home. Take our virtual office tour with your child! This way, they know what the office looks like and what to expect.My child needs fillings and has a painful tooth. She is really scared to get fillings. What can we do?
-First, we want to develop a trusting relationship with you and your child. Connection is the key to starting to overcome the fear.
-At our Placerville office, we offer Nitrous Oxide or “Laughing Gas” to help with anxiety. We will talk more about this at your exam appointment, but it can be helpful to decrease anxiety and improve anesthetic effects, making the visit more comfortable.How often should I bring my child in for check-ups?
-Ages 6 months- 3 years: we recommend coming in every 3 months. At this age, children are teething and we like to observe the new teeth as they come in. If there are mouth development issues, we can find out early and develop a plan. This includes poorly formed teeth, early childhood cavities and general mouth growth.
Ages 4 years- 18 years: Generally, we recommend dental cleanings and check-up visits every 6 months (2 times a year) for this age group. But special conditions or phases of growth might require extra visits, or referrals to a dental specialist.
At the Smile Shop, we’re general dentists who are committed to working with you to keep your child’s oral health in top shape. Please come to your child’s dental exams and bring your questions!
