What
to Expect at Your Child’s First Dental Visit

The first dental visit is a special milestone to celebrate with your child. Our Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry team is dedicated to working alongside you to lay the foundation for healthy, beautiful smiles that last a lifetime. We look forward to welcoming you and your little one into our Jet Set Smiles family. 

When Should Your Child First See a Dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend scheduling your child’s visit when the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday. Establishing a dental home and instilling good dental habits right from the start will ensure your child’s oral development stays on track and lower the risk of dental disease. At Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we are all about ensuring our young patients enjoy healthy smiles into adulthood. 

Preparing for Your Child’s First Dental Visit

It’s important to take the time to prepare for your little one’s first dental visit to ensure a positive experience. Talk to your child, explain what to expect, and make sure you use a happy tone and manner. Explore books together or watch videos about visiting the dentist, even if your child is not verbal yet.

Remember to schedule the first visit when your child is more likely to be cooperative, usually after naptime. Time it to when your child is well fed and rested, and fill out the new patient forms at home before your appointment to focus on your child on the day of the first visit. 

Make sure to remain calm and upbeat because your child will pick up on any anxiety or unspoken fears. Let us know if there’s anything we can do to make your little one’s first visit a stellar experience. 

What Happens During the First Dental Visit?

Dr. Patel will greet you and your child, take your child’s medical and dental history, and ask about current concerns. He will conduct a gentle exam to ensure your little one’s teeth and gums are healthy and the overall oral development is on track. 

Our team at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry will review proper brushing and flossing techniques, smile-healthy nutrition, teething, and oral habits, such as thumb sucking or pacifier use. Depending on your child’s age, we may recommend a gentle cleaning and a fluoride treatment. We only take dental x-rays when necessary to uncover any underlying concerns. 

Like adults, most children need to see the dentist twice yearly. Dr. Patel will discuss a schedule that is appropriate for your child. At Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we are proponents of prevention and early detection of dental problems to keep our young patients smiling their best. 

Preventive Dental Care Near Me in Phoenix, AZ

Dr. Patel and our dedicated team at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry strive to ensure your child’s first visit and every following one are positive and stress-free. We use kid-appropriate language and do everything possible to ensure your little one is as comfortable as possible. We care about our young patients – and it shows. We invite you to call 480-284-5076 to schedule your child’s appointment or request one online today!

Why
Would My Child Need a Baby Tooth Extracted?

We, at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, cannot overemphasize the importance of baby teeth and the role they play in a child’s future oral health. Not only do they help with chewing and speech development, but they also help maintain the correct structure of the mouth and jawbone and act as placeholders for the permanent teeth developing behind the scenes. Our team never spares any effort to preserve a child’s natural baby tooth. If, however, saving a tooth is not a viable option, we may recommend a simple extraction.

Why Would Your Child Require an Extraction?

There are various reasons a baby tooth may require extraction. Our pledge to you is that we will do everything possible to ensure your child is comfortable before, during, and after the extraction procedure. 

Here are some reasons a child would require tooth extraction:

• Severe decay or infection can sometimes cause too much damage to allow for safe and effective restoration.
• In a serious injury, a baby tooth may be cracked, loosened, or impacted and may need to be removed.
• Extraction may be necessary if a primary tooth does not fall out before the permanent one comes in.
• We sometimes remove baby teeth as a component of an orthodontic treatment plan to allow the remaining teeth to shift into alignment.

What Should You Expect?

With modern dentistry techniques, a baby tooth extraction is a relatively quick and straightforward procedure. We will start by administering a local anesthetic to numb the area for your child’s comfort. If your child is anxious, we can provide nitrous oxide inhaled sedation to safely help your child relax while still awake and responsive to directions. We will gently remove the affected tooth, and your child won’t feel a thing. Children typically resume their normal day-to-day activities about 24 hours after the procedure. If you have any questions or concerns, please make sure to let us know.

How Can You Help Promote Healing?

For two to three days after the extraction, your child will need to stay away from carbonated beverages, sucking through a straw, vigorous rinsing, and forceful spitting. Your little one will need to eat soft foods such as pudding, mashed potatoes, jello, or ice cream. Crunchy foods such as popcorn or crackers are an absolute no-no.

If your child has any discomfort, a pediatrician approved pain medication such as Tylenol will help. If your child has any swelling, place a cold compress on the area and immediately contact our office. Please make sure to follow the post-extraction care instructions we will provide to promote healing.

What Is a Space Maintainer?

After extracting a baby tooth, we may recommend placing a space maintainer. The custom-fit oral device will maintain the space needed for the incoming permanent tooth to erupt correctly. Space maintainers can help reduce or may even eliminate the need for orthodontic treatments down the road.

Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles

Keeping your child’s teeth healthy will prevent damage that can ultimately lead to tooth loss or the need for extraction. We recommend starting with proper oral hygiene practices at a very young age. Even babies and toddlers need to have their teeth cleaned. Make sure to visit Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry twice a year for your child’s routine dental exams and cleanings. That will allow us to identify any issues early on when easiest to treat.

Teeth Extractions in Phoenix, AZ

Contact Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to schedule your child’s routine dental exam and cleaning. We will monitor your child’s teeth to make sure they stay in tip-top shape. If an extraction is necessary, our gentle approach and sedation dentistry options allow even our most anxious young patients to relax. Call us today!