Theriot Family Dental

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

At Theriot Family Dental Care, your child’s first will focus on preventive care and developing and maintaining good oral health habits.

What to expect

We encourage you to bring in your child as soon as he or she has teeth. For this first visit, just bring them with you to your appointment and we will look at them and make sure everything is okay. By the age of two or three you can schedule a separate appointment for them. We will help them have a fun visit. One of our most important goals is to help your child develop a healthy attitude toward dental care. We use simple language that children understand as we explain what we are doing, why we’re doing it, and show your child which dental tool we’ll use next.

Preparation

Some parents feel that they have to prepare their child for a dental appointment. This can backfire as the child reads the message the parent seems to be telegraphing to them: The dental office is something I should worry about. Parents who treat a dental appointment as a routine part of a day find that their children come relaxed and end up enjoying their visit.

Their First Visit

Your child’s first visit will last about an hour. They will get a cleaning and a thorough exam in which we will:

  • Examine your child’s teeth for their health and development
  • Examine the gums and oral tissue to ensure they are healthy
  • Look for signs of oral health habits (e.g., thumb, finger, or pacifier habits) that are affecting tooth position or development
  • Talk to you about brushing and flossing habits for your child

We encourage you to speak positively with your child about their first dental visit. Avoid negative comments or words about dental visits that can cause anxiety, such as needles, shots, or pain. But if your child is quite anxious about a dental visit, nitrous oxide is available.

Remember to schedule dental cleaning and exam appointments for your child every six months. With preventive care, Dr. Theriot or Dr. Redhead can detect and treat cavities in their early stages. Call us to schedule an appointment or complete our Request an Appointment form.

“Our family has been going to Theriot Family Dental Care since 2017, and we love it. The staff is friendly and informative. And our kids are comfortable and enjoy the TVs in the room and the little care package they get before leaving. My middle child has a lot of anxiety but is always at ease here.” – Kinsey B.