We are proud to specialize in pediatric dentistry in our Mobile practice. Our entire staff is very good with children. We know and understand how children think so that we can start them off right. We want them to associate the dentist’s office as a good place, instead of being scared. We take our time with each patient so that they have an enjoyable visit.
Our Mobile dentists (and entire staff) understand the importance of good oral health even as young children. They have specialized training with primary teeth. They are here to help protect and restore children’s teeth so that they can speak and eat easily, as well as having a wonderful smile. They understand the growth and development of children’s teeth so that they can start their oral health off correctly.
We also understand how important it is to take care of your children’s teeth. We will work with parents to ensure that their children are taking good care of their teeth at home. We also monitor for any problems so we can catch them early. We will work with your child’s regular doctor if needed for any problems.
Preparing for the First Visit
Parent, child, and the dentist all need to prepare for that first visit. Up to a certain age, there’s not much you can do to explain the dentist to a very young child, but if they are preschool age or older, you can give them an explanation of what to expect from this new experience. Be sure to cover the importance of going to the dentist. Be understanding and try to help them feel excited about this Big Kid milestone.
You can prepare for the first visit to the dentist in Mobile as a parent by discussing your questions and concerns with us. Keep in mind that your own history with dental offices is not your child’s. We encourage you to be honest with us about your views on dentists so that we can work together to ensure your child doesn’t inherit any dental anxiety.
We also need to prepare to be your child’s dentist! Make sure to bring their complete health history with you. It also helps for us to know if your child tends to be stubborn, defiant, anxious, or fearful in a new situation.
The Parent’s Role During the Visit
Parents can greatly help their child have a good experience by remaining present and calm in the dental exam room, and you can also watch how they react during their appointment. You know your child best, and what you tell us can be very helpful. Some behaviors are fairly typical for certain age groups:
- Age 10-24 months: some children may become upset when taken from their parents for an exam.
- Age 2-3 years: children this age are better able to cope with brief separations from their parents, though “no” is a common response from a two-year-old.
- Age 3: children at this age may have difficulty being apart from a parent during a procedure like getting a cavity filled because they aren’t socially mature enough yet.
- Age 4: by this age, most children are able to sit in another room from their parents for exams and treatments.
The First Visit
The primary goal of a child’s first dental visit is to help them feel comfortable with the dentist. It will typically last between 30 and 45 minutes. Depending on the age of your child, it may include a full oral exam to check the growth and development of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues. Your child may also receive a gentle cleaning, which will include polishing any teeth that have erupted and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains.
The Second Visit
As with adults, children should have regular dental visits — once every 6 months, but we may recommend more frequent visits to help build your child’s comfort and confidence or to keep an eye on a developmental or cavity concern issue.
Begin Your Child’s Dental Health Journey at Young Dentistry for Children
Call our West Mobile office at tel:251-342-5323 or our Midtown office at tel:251-476-2848 or visit our appointment page to request an appointment for your child.