Do you remember your first dental visit? You might, you might not.
You will probably remember your children’s first official trip to the dentist, however. This is a big milestone for them and for you as a parent.
We understand this is important, and we want to make pediatric dentistry as pleasant as it can be in our Modesto, CA, office.
If you are looking for a family dentist, we welcome you to visit Sierra Dental Care. We think you will like what you find after you visit us and get to know our team.
To schedule an appointment or to learn more about our approach to children’s dental care, call (209) 575-2400 or contact us online.
Preparing Your Children For Dental Care
To help your son or daughter feel comfortable with the dentist office, you are welcome to bring him or her with you during your own dental cleanings and exams.
Letting your children see what we do can help them stay relaxed when it’s their turn in the dentist chair.
It’s also helpful to talk to your children about what we do at our dentist office in Modesto, CA. Answering questions about what happens during a dental cleaning or other treatment can make it less scary for a child.
And if you have questions, feel free to call us at 209-575-2400.
Last, but certainly not least, practice good oral hygiene at home both for yourself and your child.
By brushing and flossing your teeth, you are showing your children that it is important to take care of their mouths. This also gives you an opportunity to model good oral care habits.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
At Sierra Dental Care, you are welcome to bring your child to visit us as soon as he or she has teeth.
A good general rule to follow is to bring your child to the dentist by his or her first birthday. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child to the dentist after his or her first tooth erupts. This usually occurs when a baby is between 6 and 12 months old.
One thing we will not do is force your child to accept dental care. If your child is not ready to have his or her teeth cleaned, that’s OK. Just coming to the office, sitting in the dentist chair, and letting us look at his or her teeth is a good first step.
With time, most kids become more comfortable and let us complete a professional dental cleaning.
This visit is also a good opportunity for you to learn more about things you and your kids can do at home to reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Ongoing Dental Care
While we hope your child’s first dental visit will be as pleasant as possible, we also hope you will continue to bring your child to our Modesto, CA, dentist office for ongoing care.
As you know, your children will lose their primary or baby teeth. Generally, these teeth start to fall out around 6 or 7 years old to make room for the permanent teeth.
If you are visiting us regularly, we will be monitoring changes in your children’s teeth and mouth. We will be watching for signs of tooth decay and other oral health problems.
We also will be keeping a close eye on how your children’s permanent teeth erupt. By following this changes, we can help you and your children prepare for orthodontic treatment if needed.
We offer both traditional braces and Invisalign® at Sierra Dental Care. Which option is right for your teenager will depend on a variety of factors.
Invisalign is effective at treating many mild to moderate alignment problems, but braces may be needed for more severe issues.
Either way, we want to work closely with you and your son or daughter throughout the treatment process. Orthodontic care is not something that can happen overnight. We want to answer your questions so you understand the benefits and downsides of the orthodontic option available.
Would You Like To Learn More?
All you have to do is call 209-575-2400 or fill out our online form to make an appointment or schedule a consultation at Sierra Dental Care.