Pediatric Dentistry

If your child is nearing their first birthday, it may be time to schedule their first dentist appointment! We know that you want nothing but the best for your little one, which is why College Drive Dental Associate’s friendly staff goes above and beyond to provide the best possible care for your child. We’ll work with you to make sure your child’s visit is fun and easy, and that they enjoy taking good care of their teeth for years to come.

What You Can Expect

Knowing what to expect during the dentist appointment in the best way to keep you and your child at ease while they’re in the chair. Here are a few things you can anticipate during their examination:

1. First, we’ll ask you to take a seat in the exam room. Feel free to sit in the chair with your child if they’re either uncomfortable or too small to sit in the chair by themselves.
2. The dentist will then take a quick look at your child’s teeth and gums. This will allow them to see if they’re in good oral health and their teeth and jaw are developing properly.
3. We will then perform a thorough cleaning to remove any plaque and bacteria from the surface of their teeth. This will ensure that their teeth and gums remain in good health.
4. Finally, we’ll talk to your child about good home care practices. Good habits start early, and we want to make sure they keep their mouth in good shape long after their appointment.
 If, during the exam, we uncover any cavities, injuries, or other issues, we can discuss with you the best plan of action to get their teeth back into good working condition.

Helpful Tips for a Stress-Free Visit

We know that bringing your child to the dentist for the first time can be a bit nerve-wracking. Don’t fret! We will work with you as a team to make sure the appointment goes smoothly. That said, there are a few tried and true methods to keep your visit stress-free.

• Tell them all about the dentist. If a child knows what a dentist is and does, they’re less likely to be afraid. Avoid scary words like “drill” and “shots” – instead, explain how dentists keep their teeth healthy and strong.
• Play pretend. Many parents like to have a pretend appointment with their child. First, have your child act as a patient, and get them used to having each of their teeth touched. Then, try switching roles! Let them play the dentist on either you or their stuffed animals. This will make the dentist office a fun game.
• Read about the dentist. If you’re child loves books at bedtime, there are a number of great ones to choose from about the dentist. The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist and The Crocodile and the Dentist (Taro Gomi) are a few fan favorites.
• Eat before your appointment. Be sure your child has eaten and brushed their teeth before their appointment. This way, your child won’t want to eat snacks during their cleaning.
• Fill out paperwork in advance. The less time spent in the waiting room the better. Try filling out any of your forms beforehand so you can walk into the appointment as soon as possible.
• Schedule around nap time. When you book the appointment, make sure you choose a time that your child is typically in their best mood. For this reason, it is probably best to not schedule around a time when they’re typically napping.
• Have fun! If you’re at ease, your child will be too. And if they start to fuss, we’ll help you keep your child in a good mood to make sure their appointment is fun and easy.

Helping your child have fun at the dentist is one of our specialties! We’ll make sure they love their visit and can’t wait to come back. If you’re ready to schedule your appointment, or have any questions for us, call our Palos Heights office today!