Your Child’s First Dental Appointment

Our office recommends that your child schedules their first dental visit when their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) support this recommendation to ensure your child stays cavity-free!

Bringing your child to routine dental check-ups and cleanings allows our office to complete a comprehensive exam and provide individualized recommendations based on your child’s needs. Dr. Mehta takes time to review cavity prevention, home care instructions, personalized dental tips for your child, nutrition counseling, and future expectations for your child’s oral health.

What to expect

As a Pediatric dentist, Dr. Mehta strives to ensure your child’s first visit is a happy and positive one. We understand every child is different and some may be apprehensive at their first visit. We allow parents to accompany their child throughout the appointment to help us make the visit enjoyable. We encourage parents to allow their children to be independent and develop trusting relationships with our staff and Dr. Mehta. We are happy to answer any questions you may have throughout the visit. We are here to make you and your child feel comfortable and establish a dental home to grow beautiful smiles!

How to prepare

Parents play a vital role in in helping their child be excited about their dental visits. We encourage you to speak with your child about their dental appointment and what to expect. We recommend avoiding words such as, “drill, pull, shot, hurt, etc.” so your child does not become afraid of the dentist. Our office uses kid-friendly terminology to discuss dental topics so your child can understand and relate to the experience. Let your child know that our staff will explain, show, and guide them through their visit and they can feel comfortable asking us anything they wish.