At Sea of Smiles, our team will introduce your child to the world of dentistry in a friendly manner that is kid-approved and parent-appreciated. During their first appointment, we will take the time to get to know you and your little one so you both feel comfortable in our care. One of our dentists will gently assess your child’s dental health and check for any issues. From the time you walk through our door to our final “bon voyage!”, we make sure that your child’s first visit with us is upbeat, informative, and filled with positive memories. We strive to create a dental home where children are excited to come back every six months because we know this will set them up for a lifetime of excellent oral health.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should have their first dental appointment before their first birthday, or when their first tooth erupts (whichever comes first). Bringing your child to the dentist early and regularly will help establish a proper oral care routine that can last a lifetime. At Sea of Smiles, we know how important it is to make a splash with new patients, so you can rest assured that we will go above and beyond to make your child’s appointment fun and informative.
Introducing your little one to dental appointments early and scheduling visits every six months will have a positive impact on your child’s dental health and their general attitude toward oral care. Routine appointments will get your child comfortable with the process and ensure that any dental health issues are caught in their early stages, before they become bigger problems. Quality pediatric care will also decrease the risk that your child will develop dental anxiety later in life and increase their chances of taking a proactive approach to healthcare throughout adulthood.
If you’re looking for a friendly pediatric dental office to call home in Yardley, Bensalem, Warrington, or Glenside, give us a call today to schedule an appointment. At Sea of Smiles, we see everyone who walks through our door as an extension of our family, and we will always treat your child as if they were our own. Call us today to schedule your first visit, or stop by one of our three locations in-person!
We do our best to make your child’s first visit fun! From the moment they walk into Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, our dental team will make them feel right at home. To begin, you’ll need to fill out some paperwork, and then your little one can enjoy our play area while you wait for their appointment.
Once it’s time for their appointment, you’ll come back to one of our comfortable, child-friendly operatories. We may recommend x-rays for older kids, or for kids with a history of cavities, but not all kids need them. It only takes a few minutes to take x-rays, and the process is fast and easy for your child.
Next, one of our dental hygienists will gently clean plaque and tartar away from their teeth, and use a brush to buff and polish their teeth. Then, your child’s dental hygienist will floss their teeth to remove any remaining particles and leave them squeaky-clean.
After your child’s cleaning, your child’s pediatric dentist will enter and perform an oral exam. They will check your child’s teeth and gums, review their x-rays, and take a look at their oral development. If they notice any concerns, your child’s pediatric dentist will discuss them with you. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about their oral health.
First, we recommend scheduling a visit in the morning, especially for very young kids. They're more likely to do their best when they're well-rested and fresh. You can also watch some videos about dentistry on YouTube, or check some books out from the library to help them learn a bit more about what will happen at their appointment. There’s lots of kid-friendly content out there that explains the basics, and even makes dentistry seem fun!
And whenever you’re talking about their dentist visit, you should also use positive language. Kids may latch onto negative language like “shot” or “hurt” and start to feel nervous or anxious about their visit.
Finally, planning a fun treat for your child after their first visit is a great way to reward them for being brave and seeing the dentist. A trip to the park, a cheap new toy, or some other reward is a great motivator, and helps build positive associations with their dentist trips.
You can ask any questions that you have about your child’s oral health! Their routine six-month appointments are the best chance you have to speak to their pediatric dentistry directly, and learn more about oral care from the team at Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. Here are a few examples:
There are no wrong questions. If you’ve got any kind of question about your child’s mouth, or about dental care for kids in general, the team at Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is here to help, and provide you with the answers you need.