Encourage.Positive reinforcement goes a long way. Always tell your child how proud you are of them, and what a big, brave boy/girl they are. New experiences can be scary and any time they hand it well, we want to offer praise and encouragement.
It is beneficial for the first visit to occur within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, and no later than the babys first birthday. Consider this first visit as a well-child checkup for your childs teeth.
During this visit, your dentist will check for decay and other conditions and show you how to properly clean your childs teeth. Additionally, the dentist may recommend oral care products for your family. Heres a full summary of what you can expect at your first visit.
As part of our integral service offerings, all First Impressions staff have received advanced education and training in order to provide excellent primary and comprehensive preventative oral health care to children with special health care needs (SHCN). In agreement with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, health care for these individuals typically requires specialized knowledge, increased awareness and attention, adaptation and accommodative measures beyond what is considered routine.
Bacteria in the mouth use the sugars found in liquids and foods to produce acids that attack the teeth. Each time these liquids or foods are consumed, acids attack the teeth for 20 minutes or longer. After many attacks, tooth decay can develop. Tooth decay can begin as soon as teeth emerge in a babys mouth usually by age six months or so.
Ever heard of baby bottle decay? Its a specific type of tooth decay that occurs because of prolonged exposure to liquids that contain sugar. One of the more common ways this can occur is bottle propping or putting your baby to bed with a bottle.
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources, including the ocean. Research has shown that fluoride not only prevents cavities in children and adults, it also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay is visible. During childhood, when teeth are still forming, fluoride works by making tooth enamel more resistant to the acid that causes tooth decay.
Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth for chewing, speaking, and appearance. In addition, baby teeth hold the space in the jaw for permanent teeth. Both primary and permanent teeth help give the face its shape and form.
And why are straight teeth important? Straight teeth are important for a nice smile and correct jaw positioning and well-positioned teeth are together important for chewing, digestion, speech, and good looks; in other words, for physiological and psychological health. Straight teeth are also easier to keep clean and this enhances the health of the gums and of the oral cavity in general.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, hold it by the top part (crown), rinse it gently with water, reinsert into the socket, making sure it is facing the correct direction, and take the child to the dentist immediately. If you cant replace the tooth put it in a container of cold milk or in a cold wet cloth and bring it to the dentist immediately.
Our office is committed to providing exceptional and enjoyable services in all aspects of dental care for your child. Each of our offices have been inspired by children; we intentionally designed the atmospheres of our dental offices to incorporate elements that children relate to and understand. Things like bright colors, fun textures, a play yard, video games, cartoons, books, TV programs, kid-sized equipment, and friendly faces help ease your childs fears and apprehensions.
Once a child is relaxed, we will call them back for the exam. Generally, we prefer to take your child back alone, while you remain in the waiting room. We find the children are able to relax sooner and more easily this way. Our team will explain all procedures and answer any questions your child may have. We use techniques such as tell, show, do where we name the instrument, showthem how to use it and let them experience it themselves. We are trained to give each child our full attention at their appropriate level of development. As a result, most children are more calm, comfortable, and confident during the exams and procedure.
Our team of dentists and hygienists use some of the most innovative approaches as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. New research, technology, and assessment tools are allowing us to go even further to assess your childs risk for cavities and other oral issues. A few of the things we screen for during a visit include: lack of saliva in your childs mouth, enamel defects, elevated bacteria, and plaque on your childs teeth. These advanced screenings give us an enormous amount of information about your child and whether he or she is at high, moderate, or low risk for the formation of cavities.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 159 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestMelinda Smith
a year ago
The dentists are soo amazing. My daughter loves it here. I would highly recommend.
Dan Bushner
a year ago
The boys enjoy coming to the dentist... the games, the play area, it's all very inviting. I enjoy the detailed report of what is happening with my boys teeth! Thank you!
MaiLong Vang
a year ago
This is the only place I can take all five of my kids for their dental appointments at the same time, and still relax peacefully while waiting for them. There is a mini indoor play and slide as well as two game stations for my two years old boy to enjoy in the lobby. The staffs and their cares for my kids dental issues are wonderful!
Ezekiel Dodge
a year ago
They are always so friendly and informative!
Cortni Brader
a year ago
Amazing First Dental visit for little guy. He is on the Spectrum so I was quite nervous on how this would go. Our dental hygienist, Maggie, was amazing and cant thank her enough. Excellent experience!
Katherine Wilson
2 years ago
We came here for several years. I can no longer recommend them. Their standard of practice is sealants for 6 year molars and they failed to recommend that my child needed them. Well not he has a cavity that could have been prevented if the sealant was there. I was told oh we put those on when they are 6. Well my child is almost 9 and he had been going there twice a year since he was 3. So I asked why they were never recommended. I couldn't get an answer. I would honestly recommend looking elsewhere. They NEVER answer the phone and take forever to call you back. Save yourself and your child the headache and go anywhere else.
Mary Kat
2 years ago
We absolutely love it. They are so great with my kids!
Becky Kintopf
2 years ago
Oral hygiene and care is so important. Growing up the dentist was a very intimate affair and very personable. Most dentists have lost this touch. My children have been through 3 dentists offices. During covid one dental office wanted parents to wait in the car while they treated our 1 and 3 year old inside by themselves. We weren't comfortable with that. Due to that we continued switching offices until we found an office we were comfortable with. First impressions dental is that place. Today, as our second visit they proved that we are more than another paying customer or just another person. We were treated with kindness, compassion and understanding. They heard my concerns and raised a solution that exceeded my expectations. I've not felt judged by the staff as to my children's teeth conditions. As parents you strive to do your best and I feel they understand that and do not pass judgement. Thank you first impressions.
Jessica Lopez
2 years ago
Staff is always very nice and explain any further dental work that needs to be done. My child always feels comfortable going to First impressions.
Chelsea Cornette
2 years ago
Thank you for being compassionate caring and professional with my children! Highly Recommend!
Catelynn Gibson
2 years ago
First visit: I took my children here. Three out of four. They look forward to coming to this dentist versus the other 2 we tried. They really do look for the kids best interest! Their needs are met, and we leave happy. Adding this as we no longer go here. Parents aren't allowed back. My three autistic girls made several complaints. One couldn't sit still due to anxiety and they kept threatening to take her to her mother but I wasn't allowed back. The other can't keep her mouth open for long periods of time and was yanked. They were yelled at and this made my younger girl so scared of dentists she had a panic attack at the following two dentists. We have finally found a dentist and got some of her serious work done and I am praying they undid the damage done here. I called and complained and the receptionist told me she didn't hear anything. Hence basically saying my kids were lying.
Ashley Stewart
2 years ago
My son is 11 months old. He had a fall while figuring out walking and broke his front tooth. This was a big deal, and so hard on him and us. We were scared and devastated. The professionals here were above and beyond what we expected. They made us feel comfortable, they treated my son like a person and not just a baby, they kept us informed and educated throughout the procedure. We left knowing we did what was right, and that was possible with the support we got here. I am unendingly grateful. We will be continuing to come here for sure! *Also they were playing SpongeBob and Disney soundtracks in the lobby. Need I say more?*
Mailong Vajj
2 years ago
My kids has been a part of First Impression patients for almost 3 years now. It is a place where I can bring all of my five kids with me to their dentist. I can just wait out in the lobby with my younger ones while the older siblings get their teeth clean since I got no babysitter. All of their dental assistants are wonderful. They even give you a brief summary of what they did in the back with the kids or how the kids behave. Each kids always came back with a toy or a bag of dental supplies each visit!
Kayla Dingeldein
2 years ago
Wonderful experience! They are so cheerful and take such good care of my son. He feels comfortable and doesn't have any fear of the dentist.
Amanda Herlache
2 years ago
Wonderful, caring staff from the minute you walk in the door! I greatly appreciate the patience and care provided at First Impressions.
Ashley McCabe
2 years ago
It would be really nice if since we don't get to talk with the dentist that we got a report card of some kind. All I was told was no cavities, 6 molars left and to look for in network ortho.
Tiffany Fick
3 years ago
This experience for Dante was like day and night. He is ready to go back and have the issues taken care of with his teeth. There were no tears, or I am never going back attitude. Thank you so much for making Dante's first experience a positive one.
Jen Mulhall
3 years ago
My daughter had previously had a bad experience at a different dental office, and was pretty anxious about going back to the dentist. It was recommended that we try a pediatric dental office, and we are so glad that we picked First Impressions Bellevue. Our dental hygienist Maggie was absolutely amazing. She came out and talked to my daughter and I, and explained what she was going to do and how it would be different from the last dentist. My daughter was pretty emotional and scared, but Maggie really went above and beyond to comfort her and took her back. I was shocked when my daughter came out SMILING from her dental visit. Maggie explained everything to both of us, and how she took a stepwise approach with the x-rays and exam to make sure my daughter was comfortable with what she was doing. And my daughter was pretty excited about the chocolate flavored toothpaste she chose This was seriously a tipping point for us - if she had another bad experience, my daughter was probably going to be terrified of going to the dentist forever. If she had a good experience, then maybe she'd realize it's not so bad. She told me the other day she's looking forward to her next appointment, which given where she was at prior to her visit here, is truly unbelievable. THANK YOU MAGGIE and THANK YOU First Impressions!!! Five (thousand) stars!!
Teddy
3 years ago
This "pediatric" dental office will not allow parents in with their child. They even specifically said it has nothing to do with COVID, "we don't let parents back". They expected my 3 yr old to have a full exam, X-rays etc by herself? What kind of kids dentist office does that? First, as a parent, I should be able to see what is happening with my young child's care. Second, my child would be frightened to death to do that by herself. This is the only pediatric office my insurance offers, so I guess we will be bringing her to my dentist who will allow me to sit by her and be there for her/hold her hand. That's not even mentioning our 1.5yr old we wanted to be seen as well. Totally inappropriate for a pediatric office.
Annie Krueger
3 years ago
I was so appreciative of the staff for taking the time and going beyond the extra mile to make my (very apprehensive) 3 year old feel comfortable with going back for her dental appointment. Her first experience at the dentist was during COVID, and with waiting room restrictions and everything being new to her, she completely melted down. This time was completely different. She went in holding her sister's hand, and came out with a huge smile on her face, feeling so proud of herself! The dental hygienist was wonderful, and made her feel like she could be brave enough to do it.
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