Emergency253-523-3512
Defiance Dental Studio Tacoma - Tacoma

Child’s First Appointment in Tacoma

A child’s first visit to the dentist is a key step in building a foundation for lifelong oral health. Early dental visits help establish good habits, prevent dental issues, and ensure your child’s smile stays healthy for years to come.
Call 253-523-3512

A Lifetime of Smiles Starts with a Good Foundation

Start your kids off with strong oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime. As they grow, it’s important to monitor their progress and help them develop healthy smile habits. We understand that family care can be both challenging and rewarding, and we offer special attention to your child’s unique needs. A healthy smile is a vital part of childhood, so let’s work together to ensure your little ones are on the right path to a bright, confident future.

Getting Ready for Your First Appointment

Talking to your child about their upcoming visit to the dentist can help ease any anxiety and make the experience more enjoyable. The goal of their first appointment is to help them relax, have some fun, and start forming a positive relationship with their dentist. Here’s what they can expect:

Talk and Listen

We’ll take the time to talk with you and your child, explaining what we’re doing and why. We’ll introduce them to some of the tools we use in a friendly, kid-friendly way to help them feel more comfortable and confident. No need to worry, we’re not so scary after all!

Gently Examine

Our gentle exam will include checking your child’s gums, tongue, teeth, and overall oral health. We’ll look for any areas that may need extra attention at home and provide personalized guidance to help you care for their smile. We’ll also make a note to address these areas during their next visit.

Educate

We might ask your child to demonstrate how they brush their teeth, offering gentle tips to improve their brushing technique at home. We’re happy to answer any questions you or your child have about dental health, ensuring they feel informed and comfortable.

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

Your child’s first teeth usually start to come in around 6 months of age. It’s recommended to schedule their first dental visit by their first birthday or within 6 months of their first tooth appearing. Early visits allow the dentist to check for any issues and provide guidance on caring for your child’s teeth. If your child seems uncomfortable or you suspect something might be wrong, don’t wait—book an appointment as soon as possible. Remember, it’s never too late for a child’s first dental checkup.

Baby teeth might not be permanent, but they play a critical role in your child’s overall health and development. These teeth help hold space for adult teeth, shape your child’s smile, and support proper speech and chewing. Healthy primary teeth also contribute to confidence—children who smile often and without pain tend to develop better social habits. On the other hand, dental issues, even mild discomfort, can impact how they eat, the types of foods they choose, and their overall nutrition. Taking care of baby teeth is an investment in your child’s long-term health.

The duration of the appointment depends on your child’s specific needs and how comfortable they feel during the visit. On average, you can expect the appointment to last about an hour. The dentist will assess your child’s oral health, provide any necessary treatments, and offer tips for at-home care.

After their first visit, your child should see the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning—just like adults. Regular visits help maintain oral health and catch potential problems early. However, if your child experiences pain, avoids certain foods, or shows unusual habits like rubbing their jaw frequently, schedule a visit sooner to address the issue promptly.

Your mouth is a complex system, not just about teeth. Gums, tongue, cheeks, bones, ligaments, and joints all work together to maintain oral health. When gum health declines—signaled by swelling, itching, soreness, or bleeding—it can be an early sign of more significant issues. Keeping gums healthy protects the entire mouth, ensuring your child’s smile stays bright and strong.

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Very informative, very helpful, very thorough, very efficient, and gave me various opinions and options regarding my teeth. And I really like when doctors are able to immediately show you the photos and X-rays in order to immediately discuss your condition. They are also very responsive, very friendly, and will put you at ease if you are afraid of going to the dentist. Very clean and seem to be using the latest equipment. Great locations with ample parking.
More
dori leslie
1 week ago
I haven’t been to the dentist in a long time - a LONG time - and finally HAD to go because I had a molar break in half. Big time pain! From the moment I entered the waiting room, which made me feel like I had just entered a spa, this was definitely a different experience. The staff was professional and welcoming, my new hygienist had me feeling confident and unafraid about everything she was doing, and I might just be a tiny bit in love with my new dentist. 😂. And the view from the exam room - beautiful!
More
Bryan Veentjer
1 month ago
I've been going to Defiance Dental for 10 years. They have been consistently friendly and professional. I trust them fully for my dental health! Bonus- the new location on 30th St has amazing views while you get your teeth cleaned!
More
Felicity Janette
1 month ago
Love this dental office! Everyone is so friendly, and knowledgeable and the views over the sound from the exam room are lovely. Everything is very fresh and up to date and it really felt more a day spa than the usual old-timey dental office. They answered my numerous questions, took lots of time to explain all the procedures, and checked often to make sure I was doing well. They did excellent work with zero pressure to add services / treatments and I left feeling very confident they were keeping pace with new techniques and technology. I highly recommended them to anyone looking for a modern, relaxed and reputable dental experience.
More
Jonathon Henley
3 months ago
Staff was friendly and the location has a nice view of the water. Dr. AJ Sekhon did a great job discussing my treatment plan and was open to answering my questions. Highly recommend.
More
Very informative, very helpful, very thorough, very efficient, and gave me various opinions and options regarding my teeth. And I really like when doctors are able to immediately show you the photos and X-rays in order to immediately discuss your condition. They are also very responsive, very friendly, and will put you at ease if you are afraid of going to the dentist. Very clean and seem to be using the latest equipment. Great locations with ample parking.
More
dori leslie
1 week ago
I haven’t been to the dentist in a long time - a LONG time - and finally HAD to go because I had a molar break in half. Big time pain! From the moment I entered the waiting room, which made me feel like I had just entered a spa, this was definitely a different experience. The staff was professional and welcoming, my new hygienist had me feeling confident and unafraid about everything she was doing, and I might just be a tiny bit in love with my new dentist. 😂. And the view from the exam room - beautiful!
More
Bryan Veentjer
1 month ago
I've been going to Defiance Dental for 10 years. They have been consistently friendly and professional. I trust them fully for my dental health! Bonus- the new location on 30th St has amazing views while you get your teeth cleaned!
More
Felicity Janette
1 month ago
Love this dental office! Everyone is so friendly, and knowledgeable and the views over the sound from the exam room are lovely. Everything is very fresh and up to date and it really felt more a day spa than the usual old-timey dental office. They answered my numerous questions, took lots of time to explain all the procedures, and checked often to make sure I was doing well. They did excellent work with zero pressure to add services / treatments and I left feeling very confident they were keeping pace with new techniques and technology. I highly recommended them to anyone looking for a modern, relaxed and reputable dental experience.
More
Jonathon Henley
3 months ago
Staff was friendly and the location has a nice view of the water. Dr. AJ Sekhon did a great job discussing my treatment plan and was open to answering my questions. Highly recommend.
More
Defiance Dental Studio Tacoma - Tacoma

Request an Appointment Today

Call 253-523-3512