Rancho Santa Margarita
Infant Dentist

Protect Your Child's Smile

At Willow Pediatric Dentistry, we know that new parents have a lot of questions about their children’s teeth and oral development. As a specialized pediatric dentistry clinic, we treat children of all ages, including infants, and will help you learn more about what to expect as your child’s mouth continues to develop. Contact us today for an infant dentistry consultation and start your child on his or her journey to optimal oral health.

Healthy Smiles Start Here

Infants can benefit from oral exams to check their oral development and overall dental health
Seeing a dentist from a very young age helps familiarize your child with the process and minimizes future anxiety
With Willow's personalized approach, he will develop a relationship with your child as they grow older over the years
We offer “lap exams” so you can hold your child and keep them comfortable during their entire appointment

When Should My Child Visit The Dentist For The First Time?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child starts seeing a dentist when their first tooth erupts, or when they turn one year old (whichever comes first). Regular oral exams from a young age will help us tobecome more familiar with your child’s unique oral health challenges and will minimize the risk of dental anxiety in the future. Your child will also be less likely to develop cavities and other common oral health issues.

What Can I Expect From My Infant’s First Appointment?

Typically, infants will only have a few of their teeth, so we will not perform a comprehensive cleaning and oral exam. Your child will usually start receiving standard cleanings and oral exams around the age of 2-3, or whenever they have most or all of their baby teeth.

During your child’s appointment, you can hold your little one in your lap. We will examine your child’s mouth and take a look at their teeth and gums to identify any potential oral health issues or developmental problems. Then, we will gently clean their gums and any of their erupted teeth. Throughout your visit, we will answer any questions you have about your child’s oral development and discuss any follow-ups that may be required based on our findings.

How Should I Take Care Of My Infant’s Teeth At Home?

It’s important to clean your child’s mouth with a wet washcloth or gauze at least twice a day after feedings until they are about 1 year old. Between the ages of 1-2, you can start brushing their teeth with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush, and use a small dab (about the size of a grain of rice) of non-fluoride toothpaste. Brush their teeth twice per day. Once most of your child’s teeth have come in, you should also start flossing between them at least once per day.

Get in Touch to Book a Visit!

Want to Chat?

Visit us at:

22032 El Paseo, Suite 215
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

See us on:

Monday: 8am - 5pm
Tuesdays: 8am - 4pm
Thursdays: 8am - 4pm
Fridays: 9am - 5pm
Saturdays: 8am - 3pm