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Athena Dental - Richmond

Child’s First Appointment in Richmond

When children visit a dental office for the first time, it helps set the tone for a lifetime of positive oral health habits.
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A lifetime of smiles starts with a good foundation

Helping your child develop healthy oral hygiene habits early on can make a lasting difference in their confidence and overall health. We know that family dental care comes with its own unique challenges, and kids deserve extra care and attention. A healthy smile is a key part of growing up, and we’re here to guide your child on their journey with support tailored just for them.

If you’re looking for friendly, experienced care for your little one, consider booking with a trusted Dentist in Vancouver who can help guide your child’s oral health journey right from the start.

Getting ready for your first appointment

Before the visit, feel free to talk to your child about what to expect. The main goal of their first dental appointment is to have a positive experience. We want them to feel relaxed and have fun while becoming familiar with the dental office. Reducing uncertainty helps ease nerves, so here’s what the first visit typically includes:

Talk and Listen

We’ll start by having a conversation with you and your child. We explain everything in simple, child friendly language and introduce them to the tools we use. Our goal is to help them feel safe and comfortable while learning that a visit to the dentist can be easy and even enjoyable.

Gently Examine

Next, we’ll gently check your child’s gums, tongue, and teeth to assess their overall oral health. If we notice any areas that need more care at home, we’ll provide helpful guidance. These notes will also help us monitor their progress at future visits.

Educate

We might ask your child to show us how they brush their teeth so we can offer gentle advice to improve their brushing technique. We’re happy to answer any questions you or your child have about keeping their mouth healthy.

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

The general recommendation is to bring your child for their first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in, which usually happens around 6 months of age. If you notice any discomfort, sensitivity, or issues with their teeth or gums, don’t wait, schedule an appointment. It’s never too late to get started.

Even though baby teeth are temporary, they play a big role in your child’s development. They help shape your child’s face, guide permanent teeth into place, and make it easier to speak and eat. Healthy baby teeth allow kids to smile confidently and eat without discomfort. Pain from dental issues, even if mild, can affect their appetite and create unhealthy food habits that stick around long after the teeth are gone.

Every child is different, but a typical first visit takes about one hour. The exact time will depend on your child’s comfort level and what we’re able to accomplish during the appointment.

Just like adults, children should visit the dentist about every 6 months for a check-up and cleaning, unless advised otherwise. If your child starts showing signs of discomfort, avoids certain foods, or rubs their jaw frequently, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit sooner.

Oral health goes beyond teeth. Your mouth includes gums, soft tissues, ligaments, joints, and bone, all working together. When one part is inflamed or unhealthy, it affects everything else. Swollen or bleeding gums can be a sign of more serious problems, which is why keeping an eye on gum health is essential from an early age.

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Jinna Wu
1 month ago
Amazing experience at this dental clinic. The front desk staff were so friendly and welcoming, and the dentist and dental assistant were incredibly kind and professional. The exam was very thorough, and even the X-rays were taken carefully and attentively. I asked a lot of questions and they were always patient, explaining everything clearly. Highly recommend!
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Sleepy Loki
1 month ago
The staff and dentist is great and so accommodating. She is one of the most gentle dentist I've ever had. Would definitely recommend her to anyone.
More
Katherine Chow
3 months ago
Tina is an amazing dentist. She’s honest, logical and direct. It might be hard to digest the procedure and cost but well worth it when your mouth still has its original set of teeth, 5-10-20 plus years into the investment. She not only took care of my current issues but also saved my teeth from future no teeth issue. Be patient, Be Kind because she truely is a gem once she sorts out your mouth issues. Also listen to her advice she is the subject matter expert for your mouth.
More
land van
4 months ago
I had a great experience at this new dental clinic. Dr. Tina took her time to check everything carefully and explained my situation clearly. She did my deep cleaning and periodontal treatment very gently, and I felt well taken care of the whole time. The clinic is clean and comfortable, and everyone was friendly. I’m really thankful for the treatment I received, and I’ll definitely come back to Dr. Tina for any future dental work. Highly recommended
More
Jack Yan
6 months ago
I had a wonderful experience with this dentist! The doctor was very professional and patient, explaining each step clearly and making me feel at ease throughout the treatment. The clinic is clean and comfortable, and the staff are all friendly and welcoming. The treatment results were excellent, and the pricing was transparent and reasonable. Highly recommend!
More
Jinna Wu
1 month ago
Amazing experience at this dental clinic. The front desk staff were so friendly and welcoming, and the dentist and dental assistant were incredibly kind and professional. The exam was very thorough, and even the X-rays were taken carefully and attentively. I asked a lot of questions and they were always patient, explaining everything clearly. Highly recommend!
More
Sleepy Loki
1 month ago
The staff and dentist is great and so accommodating. She is one of the most gentle dentist I've ever had. Would definitely recommend her to anyone.
More
Katherine Chow
3 months ago
Tina is an amazing dentist. She’s honest, logical and direct. It might be hard to digest the procedure and cost but well worth it when your mouth still has its original set of teeth, 5-10-20 plus years into the investment. She not only took care of my current issues but also saved my teeth from future no teeth issue. Be patient, Be Kind because she truely is a gem once she sorts out your mouth issues. Also listen to her advice she is the subject matter expert for your mouth.
More
land van
4 months ago
I had a great experience at this new dental clinic. Dr. Tina took her time to check everything carefully and explained my situation clearly. She did my deep cleaning and periodontal treatment very gently, and I felt well taken care of the whole time. The clinic is clean and comfortable, and everyone was friendly. I’m really thankful for the treatment I received, and I’ll definitely come back to Dr. Tina for any future dental work. Highly recommended
More
Jack Yan
6 months ago
I had a wonderful experience with this dentist! The doctor was very professional and patient, explaining each step clearly and making me feel at ease throughout the treatment. The clinic is clean and comfortable, and the staff are all friendly and welcoming. The treatment results were excellent, and the pricing was transparent and reasonable. Highly recommend!
More
Athena Dental - Richmond

Request an Appointment Today

Call 778-718-8715