Child’s First Appointment in Long Valley

Your child will start to cut their first teeth at around 6 months. It is recommended that children visit the dentist by the age of 1 or within 6 months of getting their first tooth. If you suspect something might be wrong or your child might be experiencing discomfort or pain, please book an appointment as soon as possible. It’s never too late for a child to have their first dental appointment.

Baby teeth are no less important than adult teeth. Parents should understand that baby teeth do so much more than hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth. Children’s teeth can permanently affect how their face appears, how they smile and how often they smile. Children who are free to develop confidence and smile big in their early years tend to hang on to those habits. Dental pain, even mild pain that children learn to normalize, will have a lasting negative impact on children’s eating habits including how they chew, what kind of food they prefer and how much food they eat.

The length of the appointment will depend on the needs of the child and how cooperative they’re feeling during the exam. That being said, an appointment typically lasts about one hour.

After your first appointment, your child should come to the dentist as frequently as you do. We recommend a checkup and cleaning every 6 months unless otherwise specified. If your child has a tooth or jaw ache if you notice them rubbing or nursing their jaw a lot or if you notice them avoiding hard or cold foods please book an appointment sooner.

Your mouth isn’t just your teeth. It’s a whole system including teeth, tongue, gums, cheeks, glands, ligaments, joints, bone and more. When one aspect of your oral health sugars, your whole mouth suffers. Swollen itchy, sore or bleeding gums can be an early indicator of a much more serious problem.