We enjoy seeing children in our office, and we strive to make their visits positive and enjoyable.

 We strongly advise that children have their first dental checkup at three years of age. If your child is due for his or her first visit to the dentist, please feel free to ask any of our staff members for suggestions to make the initial visit a positive experience.

Many parents wonder if it is best to accompany their children in the treatment rooms for their appointment. In our office we have found that children are less distracted and more cooperative when the parents remain in the reception area. We always ask the parents to join us for a short consultation at the completion of each visit.

Thumb and Finger Sucking

Thumb sucking is a natural reflex that relaxes and comforts babies and toddlers. Typically, children stop between the ages of two and four years. Thumb-sucking that persists beyond the eruption of primary teeth may cause improper growth of the mouth and misalignment of the teeth. If you notice prolonged and/or vigorous thumb-sucking behavior in your child, please talk with our staff.

Here are some ways to help your child outgrow thumb sucking

Don’t scold children when they exhibit thumb-sucking behavior; instead, praise them when they don’t thumb-suck.

Focus on eliminating the cause of anxiety—thumb-sucking is a comfort device that helps children cope with stress or discomfort

Praise them when they refrain from the habit during difficult periods.

Place a bandage on the thumb or a sock on their hand at night.