Rockville Pediatric Dental

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First Dental Visit

Serving Rockville, Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg,
and Silver Spring Areas

You Child’s First Visit

The most common question we have regarding children is what age they should start going to the dentist. At Rockville Pediatric Dental, we follow the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP). Both the AAPD and the AAP recommend that a child’s first dental visit should take place at the time of the eruption of the first tooth and no later than 12 months of age.

During the first dental visit, we will get to know your child and get him/her acquainted with the dental office. We will also evaluate your child’s dental health, as well as offer tips for good oral health care. Our goal is to have our youngest patients feel comfortable and excited about visiting the dentist!

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close up shot of infant teeth

What To Expect

For your child’s first visit to our office, we will perform a comprehensive examination. This includes looking at your child’s teeth along with the supporting structures of the gums. We will also examine your child’s oral hygiene, clean their teeth, evaluate their bite, and take x-rays, if necessary. If your child has caries or any other pathology we will discuss what treatment may be necessary to improve their oral health. This is the optimal time to ask questions of the dentist.

Preparing For Your Child’s First Visit

Going to the dentist should be a positive and memorable experience for your child. You can prepare them by discussing the upcoming visit to put them at ease. Make sure to let them know the dental team is there to help them and will explain each procedure and answer their questions. When discussing the dental visit with your child, avoid discussing experiences or using terms that can evoke negative feelings.