Groovy Molar and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that a child’s first dental visit be scheduled by his or her first birthday.  Don’t worry — if you missed that milestone, it’s never too late to get started. And before the age of one, we’re happy to welcome you for a complimentary “get to know us” visit, to offer you pointers on taking care of your baby’s teeth, and also to get your baby comfortable in our office and on your lap in the dental environment. Our goal is to gradually bond with your child, and to make her or him feel safe and secure on every visit to our office. Believe it or not, parents often tell us, “My child asks when we get to go back to the dentist!”   The earlier we can start building trust with your child, the better.  It makes a great first birthday gift to your child to know you are on the right step to creating a healthy smile!

For those kiddos coming for the first time at a later age, don’t fret, we will get them caught up and ensure they are on the right track!

At every visit, we will record your child’s dental findings and update medical history, complete a comprehensive examination and cleaning including age appropriate tooth pictures (radiographs), and discuss all information with you. We will also review the importance of maintaining a good dental health program with you and your child to ensure a healthy and beautiful smile for life!

At each visit, we check for the following:

number of teeth

cavities

bite irregularities (the way teeth come together)

loose teeth

gum irregularities

any potentially harmful habits, such as thumb-sucking or use of a pacifier for too long

fluoride use

diet/nutrition

any trauma, and

quality of oral hygiene.