A healthy smile starts early! Visiting the dentist at a young age helps children build lifelong oral habits. At Smile Care for Kids, your trusted pediatric dentist in Pompton Lakes, NJ, we make the first dental visit a fun and stress-free experience for both parents and kids.

What Happens During the First Visit?

Your child’s first dental visit is designed to be comfortable, educational, and engaging. Here’s what to expect:

• Warm Welcome & Office Introduction – Our friendly team will give you and your child a tour of the office to create a positive and welcoming environment.
• Comprehensive Dental Examination – The dentist will check teeth, gums, and jaw development. X-rays are only taken when necessary using digital technology to ensure safety.
• Gentle Cleaning & Fluoride Treatment – If there are no visible issues, we will clean your child’s teeth and apply a pleasant-tasting fluoride treatment to protect against cavities.
• Personalized Oral Hygiene Guidance – Our team will teach your child how to brush, floss, and maintain healthy habits at home.
• Parent Consultation & Q&A – Have concerns? We’ll answer all your questions about tooth development, nutrition, and preventive care.

Did You Know? The American Dental Association (ADA) and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend that children visit the dentist by age one to establish a "Dental Home" for lifelong oral health.

Do I Need to Stay with My Child During the Dental Visit?

We encourage parents to stay with their child during the first dental visit. For children over the age of three, we ask that you allow our trained staff to guide them through the appointment.

Why? Studies show that children over three often respond better to dental visits when parents are not in the treatment room. Our office is kid-friendly, and our team is highly trained to help children overcome dental anxiety.

There are several things you can do to help your child enjoy their dental visit:

• Tell them that the dentist is a friendly doctor who cares for children's teeth and smiles.
• Tell them that the dentist will only count and clean their teeth during the first visit.
• Please avoid any reference to needles, drilling, or hurting, which will only frighten your child. We will explain these things if necessary.
• Don't let anyone tell your child scary stories about dental visits.
• When in doubt, say as little as possible. Please, never make promises you know you can't keep.
• Talk about your child's first dental visit in a positive, matter-of-fact way, as you would about any new experience. A visit to the dentist should be a delightful adventure for your child.

Need Special Accommodations? If your child has severe dental anxiety or special needs, let us know! We’ll personalize their visit for comfort and care.

The First Visit for Babies: What Parents Should Know

Starting at age one, a baby’s first dental visit is key to preventing early cavities and ensuring healthy oral development.

5 Steps for Baby's First Dental Visit

Step 1. Clinical Examination by Age One

• Complete medical history
• Knee-to-knee exam with a guardian
• Note clinical dental caries
• Soft tissue irregularities
• White-spot lesions, tongue anatomy
• Enamel decalcification, hypoplasia
• Dietary staining

Step 2. Caries Risk Assessment

• Bottle or breastfed at night on demand
• Non-water in bedtime bottle
• Decalcification or caries present
• No oral home care
• Sugary foods, snacks

Step 3. Diet Counseling for Infants

• No juice or milk in bed
• No sippy cups, as they can encourage decay
• Avoid sugar drinks and sodas
• Encourage a varied and balanced diet
• Buy low-sugar snacks
• Make sure your child uses both topical and systemic fluoride

Step 4. Oral Home Care for Infants

• Teach your kid to brush and massage teeth and gums twice daily
• Buy a small, soft-bristled toothbrush
• Make sure your child uses a tiny amount of toothpaste with fluoride
• Provide guidance on thumb sucking or pacifier use
• Respond quickly to home accidents and trauma

Step 5. Future Appointments

Follow-up visits are scheduled based on your child's cavity risk and development.

If your child is delayed in dental development, we may recommend scheduling the first visit at age two.

Ready to Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Visit?

At Smile Care for Kids, we provide gentle, expert care for children in Pompton Lakes, NJ. Give your child a confident, healthy smile—book an appointment today!