At Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry, we follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding a child’s first visit to the dentist: This should be scheduled when their first tooth appears or before their first birthday. Studies have shown that starting early with regular dental check-ups will give your child the advantage of identifying dental issues that may arise as your child grows. And establishing a daily cleaning routine early is critical to helping your child have strong, healthy teeth, gums, jaws and mouth.
The Smile Explorers office in Glendale, AZ, wants all children to feel welcome and happy. But for some children it can be a little scary. Talk to your child about going to the dentist before you come. Take care not to use words that create concern like “needles” or “hurt.” Talk to your child in an upbeat, positive, calm way as you tell them about the dentist. Especially if you have your own anxiety with dentists, the more positive you are talking to your child about it, the better the chance of the child having good feelings about going to the dentist.
At Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry, we try to make the entire experience as positive and comfortable as possible. We understand there may be some fear associated with the dentist, so we talk to kids using age-appropriate language and work with each child as if they were our own kids.
Welcome to the Smile Explorers Glendale, AZ, office! We’re pleased that you chose us for your child’s dental care. Our goal is to make your child feel comfortable in our office by gaining their trust and helping to alleviate their fears. Our kid-friendly pediatric dentists and staff are skilled at helping children have a positive experience in our office.
At your child’s first exam, we ask you to stay with the child in the treatment room. During this visit, we will:
We’re happy to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have. We want this first visit to be educational and fun for both you and your child.
At Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry, we love kids! From the minute you walk into our kid-friendly office, we want your child to feel that this is a special place. Our pediatric dentists and staff are committed to making your baby’s visit a pleasant experience.
At your baby’s first appointment, we will:
Bring your baby in as soon as the first tooth appears or around their first birthday to give your baby the best start toward a healthy mouth and teeth.
If you have insurance through one of our approved providers, only your estimated portion of the fees will be required at the time of service. Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding insurance or billing and we will be happy to help you.
Smile Explorers take emergencies seriously. If you or your child has a dental emergency, such as a dislodged or chipped tooth, call us immediately and we’ll do whatever we can to help. In the case where a tooth is danger of being lost, acting quickly is crucial. As soon as we can, one of our experienced pediatric dentists will see your child and provide the critical care needed.
If your child has a toothache, it might be caused by impacted food. Clean the area around the painful tooth, and then have your child thoroughly rinse the mouth with warm water. See if dental floss can gently dislodge any food possibly caught between teeth. If your child continues to feel pain, do not use any topical treatments and do not apply a heat compress to your child’s tooth. It’s time to call Smile Explorers. If your child has a toothache and swelling in the cheek or jaw area, then apply a cold compress and contact Smile Explorers immediately for evaluation.
If your child’s baby tooth gets chipped or is even knocked out completely, the situation is likely not an emergency. Contact Smile Explorers soon, however, to minimize any risks or problems, and to determine if the missing tooth needs to be replaced with a spacer.
When a child experiences a chipped or fractured permanent tooth, it is important to contact Smile Explorers immediately. If the child is brought to our pediatric dentists very soon after the incident, it may be possible to save the tooth. Delays in bring the child to the dental office can increase the risk of infection and the possibility of needing much more dental work in the future. Don’t delay in going to the dental office – but if you can quickly find pieces of the tooth, bring them to our office.
If your child has a permanent tooth knocked out, try to quickly find the tooth. If you find the tooth, do not touch the root of the tooth – handle it only at the crown. Don’t try to clean it with soap, and don’t hold it too long. If the tooth has been broken into pieces, look for the pieces. If the tooth is whole, rinse it quickly with water and try to insert it back into the socket, while instructing your child to gently hold it in place by biting down on gauze. If the tooth cannot be inserted, place the tooth in a cup of milk or your child’s saliva. Do not delay – call Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry and then go to our Glendale, AZ, office immediately. Quick action is the most important factor in saving the tooth.
