First Visit

Your child’s first dental visit is an important step in building a lifetime of healthy smiles. At Nickel Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Andrew Nickel and our team focus on creating a comfortable, positive experience that helps children feel safe and confident at the dentist from the very beginning.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing. Early visits allow us to monitor oral development, provide guidance for healthy habits, and help children become familiar with the dental environment.

Our goal is to make every child’s first visit a positive and memorable experience.

When Should My Child Have Their First Dental Visit?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist no later than their first birthday. By this time, many children already have several teeth beginning to emerge.

Early dental visits allow Dr. Andrew Nickel to evaluate your child’s oral development, monitor tooth eruption, and provide parents with guidance on brushing, nutrition, fluoride exposure, and healthy oral habits. These early visits also help children feel comfortable in the dental setting.

How Can I Prepare My Child for Their First Visit?

Preparing your child for their dental appointment can help make the experience more relaxed and enjoyable. We recommend talking about the visit in a positive way so your child feels curious and excited.

Helpful phrases include:

• “The dentist will count your teeth.”
• “The dentist will take special pictures of your teeth.”
• “The dentist will help keep your smile healthy.”

Avoid phrases like “it won’t hurt” or “you won’t get a shot,” as these can unintentionally create anxiety before the appointment.

You can also make the visit smoother by completing your child’s medical history forms and insurance information before arriving. If your child takes medications, bringing a list or prescription can also be helpful.

When Is the Best Time to Schedule My Child’s Appointment?

For younger children, especially those six years old and under, morning appointments are often the best option. Children tend to be more rested and cooperative earlier in the day compared to after school or during nap time.

Scheduling the appointment when your child is well rested can help create a calmer and more successful visit.

What Happens During My Child’s First Dental Visit?

When you arrive at Nickel Pediatric Dentistry, our friendly team will greet you and help your child become comfortable in the office environment. We often begin by introducing the dental tools and explaining what they do using a technique called Tell-Show-Do.

This approach helps children understand the process while building trust with our team.

During the visit, Dr. Andrew Nickel will perform a gentle examination to evaluate your child’s teeth, gums, and oral development. Depending on your child’s age and comfort level, we may also take digital dental images using our low-dose imaging technology.

After the exam, Dr. Nickel will review the findings with you and discuss important topics such as:

• Cavity prevention
• Brushing and oral hygiene habits
• Nutrition and healthy diet choices
• Thumb sucking or pacifier use
• Fluoride exposure and preventive care

Together, we will create a personalized preventive care plan designed to support your child’s long-term oral health.

At the end of the visit, your child will receive a small gift and prize to celebrate their successful dental appointment.