What to Expect at Your Child’s Dental Visits

An optimal time for an initial dental visit is when a child’s first tooth erupts, which is typically no later than age 1. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our dental office in Saratoga Springs, UT. Since every child is unique, we customize each appointment based on your child’s age, needs, and cooperation level. Our goal is to gain their trust and establish good rapport so they like visiting us and even enjoy brushing their teeth. If you have any questions or concerns, we’re here to answer all of them. In general, this is what you can expect at pediatric dentistry appointments in Saratoga Springs, UT.

Step 1: Examination

Our family dentist Dr. Jeremy Thompson will complete a thorough examination of your child’s mouth. Depending on your child's age, the visit may include a full exam to check tooth development and check for signs of decay. For children with permanent teeth, we’ll also likely take digital X-rays using an intraoral camera. If Dr. Thompson notices that a child suffers from tongue-tie or lip-tie, we’ll discuss this and schedule a frenectomy. This is the clinical term for the simple 10-15 minute surgery that alleviates this problem. Although we don't offer orthodontics, we’ll refer you to a top-rated specialist if we think an older child may benefit from a space maintainer or other orthodontic treatment.

Step 2: Discussion

Before your first visit, we welcome any questions you have about our practice so you know what to expect. Doing so will help alleviate any concerns you have and also help you prepare your child for their first visit. During your visit, we encourage you to discuss any concerns you have about your child’s oral health. For example, we’d like you to tell us about potentially bad habits your child has developed (e.g. thumb-sucking) and we’ll tell you ways to help resolve this. As parents, you play an important role in helping your child establish a proper oral health routine at home, including limiting sugary drinks and sweets, so we view you as part of our team.

Step 3: Cleaning

Our caring hygienist will gently clean your child’s teeth to remove any plaque that accumulated from eating and drinking. Afterward, we may show you and your child how to brush and floss at home. If your child is 3 or older, we encourage you to help them brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Many apps and videos teach proper tooth brushing in fun and engaging ways.

Step 4: Sealants

Dental sealants are recommended in children ages 6 to 12 as soon as their permanent molars come in. Depending on your child’s age, we usually offer fluoride treatment or dental sealants as part of their routine preventive care. Sealants are applied to the surface of back molars to fill natural crevices and prevent bacteria from accumulating and causing cavities. These fast and painless treatments can help your child’s teeth stay strong and healthy.