first dental visit
We promise, as a Brooklyn dentist for kids, we’re pros at putting kids of all ages at ease, including babies and toddlers, and we’ll make sure their check-up is quick, positive, and painless for you both. Yet you might still have some questions about what to expect. Will my baby sit on my lap? Is dental cleaning done for children at their first appointment?
We’ve got you covered. While we don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach to the first appointment, and we’ll let your infant or toddler set the pace, in general, here is what happens at your baby’s first dental visit.
B is for books, blocks and balloons!
Bitesize is full of fun stuff. We have books, blocks and other toys, games and activities. We’ll also give you a balloon when you visit us because balloons make everyone happy. It’s like a tooth party here. After you check-in, you get to hang out, play and meet nice people who care about your smile. Of course, no party is complete without favors, so you won’t leave empty-handed.
When it’s your turn, one of our dental hygienists will call your name. A dental hygienist is a person who knows all about teeth and gums. They’ll take you back to a special room where the smile magic happens. There’s a big, comfy chair that you can stretch out in and lots of gadgets that we use like a huge overhead flashlight, a tiny little mirror, a sugar bug scraper and your own personal sink.
i is for images of your teeth.
Bitesize is full of fun stuff. We have books, blocks and other toys, games and activities. It’s like a tooth party here. After you check-in, you get to hang out, play and meet nice people who care about your smile. Of course, no party is complete without favors, so you won’t leave empty-handed.
When it’s your turn, one of our dental hygienists will call your name. A dental hygienist is a person who knows all about teeth and gums. They’ll take you back to a special room where the smile magic happens. There’s a big, comfy chair that you can stretch out in and lots of gadgets that we use like a huge overhead flashlight, a tiny little mirror, a sugar bug scraper and your own personal sink.
t is for toothbrush.
Another thing that dental hygienists do is use their fantastical skills to brush and floss your teeth. A big part of having a great smile is getting rid of the sugar bugs with your toothbrush and dental floss, so they don’t harden, which is when Tartar the Terrible makes his appearance. Tartar can then lead to cavities and sore gums. Even though we know you brush twice a day on your own, the only way to get rid of Tartar the Terrible is with the super toothbrush at your dentist’s office. So, every six months, you can relax in our big chair and your Bitesize hygienist will use our special toothbrush and a bit of tasty toothpaste to get your teeth so squeaky clean you won’t believe it.
e is for exam.
A dentist is a doctor who takes care of your teeth and gums. They go to school for a really long time so they can learn how to give kids healthy, sparkling smiles. When your teeth are all clean, your Bitesize dentist will come in and look in your mouth. They’ll make sure your teeth are growing big and strong and they’ll count them, which is always fun because then you can find out how close you are to a visit from the Tooth Fairy. Your dentist will point out your teeth on your x-rays and talk about what they see. The dentists at Bitesize are really nice. If you’re feeling scared, you can bring along a friend like your favorite stuffed animal or toy. Plus, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa or the grown-up you’re with, can come in the room with you too. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something because that’s what your dentist is there for. By the time you’re finished, you and your dentist will be buddies.
s is for super sugar bug fighters(and sunglasses).
Sometimes, to give your teeth a little extra help in keeping cavities away, your Bitesize dentist will recommend a quick treatment like dental sealants. Sealants are something that we paint on the back teeth, usually starting when you’re in kindergarten or first grade. They’re like a force field that protects your teeth and keeps little bits of food and germs from sticking in the nooks and crannies. Getting sealants doesn’t hurt and it only takes a few minutes. They’re really powerful and last for a long time, which is why we love them.
And, for another “S” word, we almost forgot, you’ll also get cool sunglasses to wear, whether we’re giving you sealants or not. They’ll protect your eyes and we just think sunglasses are awesome and figured you might like them too.
i is for ideas.
When your dentist is done looking at your teeth, they’ll give you all sorts of good ideas for how to take care of your smile at home. You’ll get a quick lesson on why it’s important to brush and floss and some pointers on how to do it right, so you can be the best brusher and flosser on your block! If brushing and flossing aren’t your favorite, they can also let you in on secrets for making it way more fun.
z is for zebras!
Well, we don’t have any actual zebras here but you never know what kind of prizes you’ll get to choose from or what sorts of activities or books we’ll have in our office. They could involve zebras. And is there anything better that starts with a “Z” than striped animals? If you know of something, tell us when you come visit!
e is for excitement!
When your dentist is done looking at your teeth, they’ll give you all sorts of good ideas for how to take care of your smile at home. You’ll get a quick lesson on why it’s important to brush and floss and some pointers on how to do it right, so you can be the best brusher and flosser on your block! If brushing and flossing aren’t your favorite, they can also let you in on secrets for making it way more fun.
