Pediatric Dentistry in Aston, PA
At The Dental Health Center, we have a special place in our hearts for children of all ages. We believe that little ones deserve a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles that starts with the appearance of their first baby teeth and continues long into adulthood.
The American Dental Association recommends that children first visit the dentist by age one or when the first baby tooth appears. We like to see kids starting at this age because helping them get used to dental visits at an early age helps build their confidence so that they come to see going to the children's dentist in Aston as another part of their usual routine.
As the father of young children, Dr. Daniel Seger knows that the first step is to gain their trust by letting them get comfortable with us at their pace, not ours. Many adults today are fearful of dental visits because they had a frightening experience as a child, so we won’t push your child out of their comfort zone and will never attempt to treat them if they’re not ready.
Your Child's First Dentist Visit with Dr. Seger
For this reason, the first few visits are meant to be low-key. Even if we don’t perform any treatment, these appointments have value because they allow us to open up a channel of communication between your child and us.
Our dental team will welcome you and your little one warmly when you first arrive. When it’s time for their appointment, we’ll help your child get settled comfortably in the dental chair or your lap if that helps them feel more secure.
We’ll show them some instruments and let them slowly get used to the sights and sounds of our office. Dr. Seger finds their comfort level and then tailors their appointment accordingly. He may do a cleaning if your child is receptive or just let them hold a toothbrush if they’re not. When we establish a trusting relationship from the start, we gradually help build your child’s confidence which sets them up for success at the dentist as they get older.
Dr. Seger likes to see children when the first baby tooth appears but no later than age one. He needs to monitor your child’s oral health from the time baby teeth first erupt because decay in baby teeth increases the risk of cavities in permanent teeth. Your child is at a higher risk of decay if teeth are exposed to sugar for long periods, which is why you shouldn’t put your baby to sleep with a bottle in their mouth.
Baby teeth are the building blocks of a healthy smile, and protecting them is critical for developing healthy speech patterns, navigating solid foods, and helping to guide incoming adult teeth in the future. During your child’s visits, we’ll explain the importance of caring for baby teeth and answer any questions you have about their oral health care including nutrition and habits like thumb sucking and bottle feeding.
