Accepting New Patients
Accepting New Patients
So you’re wondering when your little one needs their first dental cleaning, or maybe you’re trying to figure out what actually happens during a pediatric dental exam. If you’re a new parent asking these questions, you’re definitely on the right track. We hear from parents all the time who think dental cleanings are just for older kids with more teeth, but here’s the thing: even those first tiny chompers need some attention.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child’s first dental visit by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth appearing.
Dr. Ray Klein and Dr. Hayley Botwin, our pediatric dentists, spent years figuring out how to make dental visits work for toddlers and their parents. We know that your child’s first few dental experiences will shape how they feel about the dentist for years to come, so we focus on making these visits something you both feel good about.
When you bring your toddler in for a dental exam, we’re not trying to recreate what you remember from your own childhood dental visits. Instead, we focus on what makes sense for your child’s age and personality. The exam really starts the moment you walk through our door. We’re watching how your child reacts to our space and our team.
Your toddler can sit on your lap for the entire visit. We might start by counting teeth together, which most kids think is pretty fun. We’re checking for any early signs of cavities, seeing how their teeth are coming in, and making sure everything looks healthy.
We’re also going to ask you questions about what’s happening at home. Are they still using a bottle? How’s tooth brushing going? These aren’t trick questions; we just want to understand your child’s routine so we can give you advice that actually works for your family.
The whole point is getting your child comfortable with us and giving you the information you need to keep those teeth healthy at home. Some days we accomplish more than others, and that’s perfectly normal.
When we talk about cleaning a toddler’s teeth, for most kids under three, a cleaning usually means a thorough brushing with a soft toothbrush and a tiny bit of toothpaste.
We turn it into a game or might sing a song to keep things interesting. First visits are about getting comfortable.
We’ll also show you the best ways to brush your toddler’s teeth at home, because you’re doing all the real work when it comes to keeping those teeth clean.
Remember, most children don’t have the coordination to brush effectively on their own until they’re much older, so don’t stress if your two-year-old isn’t mastering proper brushing technique just yet.
One of the most important things we do during these early visits is help your child see coming to the dentist as something routine and pleasant, not something scary. We want them to think of us as friends who help take care of their teeth.
This means every visit looks a little different depending on your child’s mood and comfort level. One day, they might let us do a complete cleaning, while another day, they might only let us take a quick look. Both visits are wins because we’re building that trust and familiarity.
Here’s how we make the experience work for young kids:
Kids who have positive early dental experiences tend to keep better oral health habits as they grow up. They cooperate better with dental care and are much less likely to develop that dental anxiety so many adults struggle with.
During these early exams, we’re keeping an eye out for several things that commonly affect young children. Early childhood tooth decay is definitely a concern, especially in children who drink from bottles frequently or have sugary drinks throughout the day. We’re also monitoring how your child’s teeth are growing in.
We look for habits that might affect how their mouth develops, like thumb sucking that goes on too long or pacifier use past a certain age. We also check for teeth grinding, which is actually pretty common in young children and usually nothing to worry about.
We prefer to watch situations and give you strategies to try at home when possible. We believe in treating only what really needs treatment and preventing problems before they start. This is especially true with our youngest patients, where education and prevention are our most powerful tools.
Most of the issues we catch early can be managed with simple changes to daily routines rather than dental procedures. That’s exactly how we like it.
As your child gets older, preventive care may include sealants on back teeth and digital X-rays when we need a closer look. You can read about both before your visit, so nothing feels like a surprise.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child in by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing. Starting early lets us establish a baseline, catch anything unusual, and help your child get comfortable with dental visits while they’re still little.
We start by getting to know your child, with no rushing to the chair. We count teeth, check for early signs of decay, look at how their teeth are coming in, and assess habits like bottle use or thumb-sucking. Your child can sit on your lap the whole time if that makes them more comfortable.
For most young toddlers, a cleaning means a thorough brush with a soft toothbrush and a tiny amount of toothpaste, with no scraping or tools that feel scary. We make it feel like a game. If your child isn’t ready for a full cleaning on the first visit, that’s fine. Building trust is the goal.
Yes, preventive care like exams and cleanings is typically covered at 100% by most PPO plans. We’re in-network with nearly all major PPOs, and we’ll verify your benefits before your visit so there are no surprises.
We know scheduling your toddler’s first dental exam can feel like a big step. But think of it this way, it’s just another way you’re taking excellent care of your child’s health. Most kids do much better than their parents expect, and plenty of them actually end up enjoying their visits once they get comfortable with our team and our office.
We work with children of all personalities and comfort levels. We’re in-network with most PPO plans, and our scheduling process works with busy family schedules. Ready to get that first exam scheduled? Give us a call at (310) 329-9009 or contact us online to set up an appointment that works for your family.
Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm
