An “infant” dentist, or pediatric dentist, is a dental professional that is dedicated to treating infants and children up to the age of 18. They undergo 2-3 years of additional training beyond dental school to prepare them to work with infants, children, teens, and children with special needs.
An infant’s first dental appointment should take place after the first tooth has broken through, but before they turn 1-year old.
At the first appointment, we want to get to know you and your child. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health or dental care, we encourage you to bring them up. We will also need to know more about your child’s overall health. We want this to be a pleasant experience for you and your child.
We will interact with them to help them feel comfortable, then Dr. Alter will examine your child’s jaw and teeth to ensure they are developing properly. If your child isn’t able to or doesn’t want to sit in the chair alone, we encourage you to sit in the chair and hold them. She will check for cavities, injuries, and other issues. Once the exam is over, we will clean your child’s teeth and give you some tips for daily care.
At Palisades Dental Care, we have several dentists on staff to work with patients from the time they are infants through adulthood. There are certain benefits to choosing a pediatric dentist over a general dentist for your infant.
The sooner you get your child in to see Dr. Alter and the team at Palisades Dental Care, the sooner they can get the care they need to support their oral health.
Since a pediatric dentist undergoes 2 to 3 years of additional training, they are aware of dental issues that are unique to children. For example, if you put your baby to bed with a bottle at night, they could develop what is known as baby bottle tooth decay. Another common issue is open bite due to prolonged thumb sucking.
If you are in or near Dumont, New Jersey, let us care for your child’s teeth. Dr. Alter practiced general dentistry for a few years before deciding to pursue her passion in pediatrics. She completed her Pediatric Dental training and served as Chief Resident at St. Barnabas Hospital on the east coast before making her way to Palisades Dental Care. She looks forward to getting to know you and your child and helping them see that dental care doesn’t have to be scary.
A 1-year-old may not have many teeth, but there are things that a pediatric dentist can do for them:
Establish positive oral hygiene habits
Look for dental issues including open bite or baby bottle tooth decay
