DENTIST FOR INFANTS BAKERSFIELD

Nurturing Little Smiles from the Start

Baby sitting on their living room floor after seeing a dentist for infants in Bakersfield

At Purdy Pediatric Dentistry, our dentists care about putting your baby’s smile on the right track early on. As teeth begin to erupt, minimizing the risk of dental decay and gum disease is important, which is why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that every child be seen by a dentist no later than six months after the eruption of their first tooth or one year of age. With a careful and gentle touch, our Bakersfield dentists for infants will make sure your baby’s smile is growing as it should and remains healthy by educating parents on oral hygiene and diet. If you would like to schedule your little one’s first dental appointment, please call our office today.

Why Choose Purdy Pediatric Dentistry for Infant Dental Care?

  • Dental Practice Providing Trustworthy Care for 25 Years
  • Two Board-Eligible Pediatric Dentists on Staff
  • Bilingual Dental Staff to Ensure Clear Communication

Why Should I Bring My Baby to the Dentist’s Office?

Baby receiving a dental exam while laying in their mother's lap

Bringing your baby to the dentist’s office has several unique benefits, such as:

  • Positive Relationships: Although your little one may not understand, this initial visit helps set the stage for future ones by introducing them to the sights and sounds of a dentist’s office. It also gives our team a chance to learn more about you and your baby and vice versa – a helpful component that can lower the chances of dental anxiety in the future.
  • Establish a Baseline: Your baby’s first visit to our office allows our dentists to form a baseline for your child’s oral health. Although there may only be one or two visible teeth, we can monitor their oral and facial development over time with greater accuracy and precision.
  • Promote Good Oral Health: Your baby isn’t the only one who benefits from these appointments. You will as well. As a parent, you can ask questions and learn how to best care for your little one’s oral health at home throughout the year.

When Should My Baby First Go to the Dentist’s Office?

Baby grinning while holding a red apple

The American Dental Association (ADA) as well as Dr. Purdy, Dr. Curtin, and Dr. Martinez, recommend that you bring your child in for their first dental appointment by the time their first tooth erupts or before they reach the age of one. While some dentists may only feel comfortable seeing school-aged children, we are pleased to start even sooner, as this promotes better oral health from an early age.

What Happens During Baby’s First Dental Checkup?

Parent cleaning their baby's mouth with a finger toothbrush

During your baby’s first dental checkup, you can expect our dentists to take a more informational approach. This visit is designed to answer any questions you have as a parent as well as provide general details about how to properly care for your little one’s growing smile. We’ll likely recommend helpful products that can make brushing erupting teeth easier at home (i.e., finger toothbrushes, small soft-bristled brushes, a smear of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice, etc.).

We’ll also perform a quick visual examination of your baby’s mouth to make sure everything looks good, and no issues are evident at this stage.