Complete Dental Care for All Ages
Smith & Co. Dental Practitioners is one of the top family dentist practitioners in the Harford County area. We strive to care for each member of your family, ensuring their dental care is second to none.
Your child’s first visit
The first regular dental visit should be just after your child’s third birthday. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the examination. The parent may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and your dentist. Children tend to listen to the dentist and the hygienist better when parents are not in the treatment room.
We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums). We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.
What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?
We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child’s reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.
Here are some “First Visit” tips:
- Take your child for a “preview” or online tour of the office
- Read books with them about going to the dentist
- Review with them what the dentist will be doing at the time of the first visit
- Speak positively about your own dental experiences
During your first visit the dentist will:
- Examine your mouth, teeth and gums
- Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking
- Check to see if you need Fluoride
- Teach you about cleaning your teeth and gums
- Suggest a schedule for regular dental visits
What about preventive care?
Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At our office we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.