Infant & Toddler Dental Visits in Metairie, LA

When should your child start seeing a dentist?

Dr. Massey wants to see patients by their first birthday! This is based on recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association. After that, visits should occur every 6 months.

Of course, if you have concerns before that time, we urge you to contact our dental team for guidance. It may be that your child needs attention before their first birthday. 

Your Child's First Dental Visit: What to Expect

Early pediatric dentistry in Metairie, LA, helps children acclimate to the dental setting, which can prevent anxiety later, including into adulthood. We aim to build a trusting relationship with your little one by making their dental visits fun. For them, it may feel like visiting friends when they come to see us.

The first few visits involve: 

• Visual screenings of the mouth to monitor oral development
• Instructions for you on how to care for your child's teeth
• Protective fluoride coating to help prevent early decay
• A special, age-appropriate gift for your little one
• Establishing a “dental home” that your child enjoys visiting

Of course, your child may be nervous initially, but after a ride in the dental chair and making friends among team members, they should acclimate quickly.

Dr. Massey, your child's pediatric dentist in Metairie, and many of our dental team members are mothers, and we approach children’s behavior in a non-judgmental, understanding way! We are here to support you and your child through dental visits so that each visit becomes easier than the next.

Children can “warm up” to us when visits start early, just as a child may do better by starting swim lessons early. Your child may be able to have the exam done in a knee-to-knee position, with a parent holding and comforting the child in the lap while Dr. Massey completes her evaluation.

Typically, we see toddlers every six months for checkups and oral health monitoring. We want to ensure their jaw is developing correctly and that there are no immediate concerns. Between dental checkups, we'll guide you in at-home care, which may include information on the following: 

• Thumb Sucking
• Pacifier Use
• Nutrition Information
• Tips to keep baby teeth healthy

Between your efforts at home and our diligence, your child should enjoy a happy, healthy smile. 

Protect Your Little One From Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the most common chronic infectious disease of childhood.

One of the best ways to prevent decay is to have routine dental checkups, starting at an early age. We will have a thorough discussion of diet and its role in the development of decay. We will also give advice and tips for children with thumb-sucking habits or pacifier use. In addition, establishing a “dental home” with us means you will have a dental office to consult if your child has a dental emergency or injury. We will also review some teething tips at that first visit.

In reference to baby teeth, parents often ask: “Well, aren’t they just baby teeth that are going to fall out?”

Yes, it's true that baby teeth eventually fall out. However, they should fall out at the appropriate time. Meanwhile, they:

• Act as spaceholders for adult teeth
• Aid in oral development
• Aid in speech development
• Aid in chewing

Losing a baby tooth early can cause the remaining teeth to move or tilt, so we do our best to keep baby teeth healthy until they fall out naturally. There are tremendous benefits to having healthy baby teeth, including a positive self-image during childhood.

Our pediatric dentistry evolves as your child ages. Before you know it, counting teeth and rides in the dental chair become professional teeth cleanings and lessons in flossing. The team at Krewe of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is with you and your child every step of the way. Whether you have a question about at-home oral hygiene or what constitutes a dental emergency, we're always happy to provide guidance and understanding. 

Call Us Today For An Infant or Toddler Exam

At Krewe of Smiles, we adore our littlest family of patients!

We welcome children as young as age one for dental visits. First-time parents often have questions about how much toothpaste to use, what kind of toothpaste to use, and when to start flossing.

Dr. Massey, your trusted Metairie children's dentist, will help your infant or toddler feel comfortable, and you will leave every pediatric dental visit with a proper understanding of how to care for your child’s teeth.

Call us at (504) 838-8200 to get started.