Welcome to Parkway Pediatric Dentistry! Please take the time to take a moment to review and complete our new patient paperwork. You may bring it to your first appointment or send it to smile@parkwaypd.com. We look forward to meeting you soon!

At What Age Should I Start Bringing My Child To The Dentist?

The American Dental Association recommends that children see the dentist for the first time after the first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday. This is important because decay can set in, even if your child only has one tooth. Starting a healthy oral care routine that includes regular visits to the dentist is important to ensuring a lifetime of good oral health.

How Should I Prepare My Child And Myself For The First Visit?

Start early to prepare your child for his or her visit to our office. For younger children, we recommend using books about favorite characters visiting the dentist. This can help children get familiar with the idea of the dentist and be more familiar with the concept when visiting us. For older children, you can begin a conversation about the dentist and why it is important to take care of their smile. Visiting the dentist shouldn’t be scary, so speak in positive terms that will help your child understand why it is important to take care of their teeth. Reading books or watching videos about visiting the dentist can help your children feel more confident and remove the fear of the unknown.

For parents, we recommend taking the time to familiarize themselves with our office procedures and fill out any forms ahead of time. This can help speed your visit up. It is also helpful to make a list of questions you may have for us concerning your child’s oral health so if you have any concerns, we can be sure we address them during your visit.

What Does The Dentist Evaluate And Discuss During The Exam?

  • Examination of your child’s teeth while laying in your lap or in the dental chair
  • Evaluation of baby and permanent tooth eruption patterns
  • Evaluate whether any cavities are present or signs of cavity development
  • Discussion on how to prevent cavity development
  • Oral hygiene evaluation and demonstration
  • Education about toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Discussion on how to care for your infant’s teeth and advice on teething
  • Diet and nutritional counseling
  • Oral habit counseling such as thumb sucking or pacifier sucking
  • Evaluation of grinding and other destructive oral habits
  • Orthodontic assessment and discussion on whether your child will need an early start of braces
  • Discussion of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, congenital heart defect, asthma, and ADHD and its effect on oral health
  • Discussion on how to prevent and care for dental trauma injuries
  • Assessment of the need for a sports guard