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Infant Oral Care in Bothell, WA
At Hello Kids Dentistry, we believe it’s never too early to start caring for your child’s smile. That’s why we offer comprehensive infant oral exams starting as early as age one. These early visits lay the foundation for lifelong oral health, helping your child feel comfortable, confident, and happy in the dental chair from the very beginning.
When Should My Baby See a Dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist by their first birthday or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in. Starting early helps your child build healthy habits and allows us to catch any concerns before they become bigger problems.
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Why Infant Oral Care Matters
Even though baby teeth are only with your child for a short time, their impact is long-lasting. These tiny teeth serve as essential building blocks for your child’s overall health and development. At Hello Kids Dentistry, we help parents understand just how important these early teeth really are.
Here’s how healthy baby teeth support your child’s growth:
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Chewing and Nutrition: Baby teeth allow your little one to chew solid foods effectively, which supports proper nutrition and healthy physical development during the crucial early years.
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Speech Development: Teeth help shape the sounds your child makes. Having healthy baby teeth allows for clearer speech and helps your child learn to form words correctly.
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Jaw and Facial Growth: The presence of baby teeth helps guide the proper growth of the jaw and supports natural facial development.
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Spacing for Permanent Teeth: Baby teeth act as placeholders for the adult teeth developing beneath the gums. If baby teeth are lost too early due to decay or trauma, it can affect the alignment and spacing of permanent teeth.
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Foundation for Lifelong Habits: Introducing good oral hygiene and dental visits early on helps children grow up with a positive relationship with dental care, reducing anxiety and supporting a healthy smile into adulthood.
By focusing on prevention and education, we help families avoid early childhood cavities—one of the most common chronic conditions in children—and set the stage for a lifetime of confident, healthy smiles.
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What to Expect?
At Hello Kids Dentistry, we understand that a baby’s first dental visit can feel like a big milestone—for both parents and little ones. That’s why we’ve designed every aspect of the visit to be gentle, calm, and encouraging, so families leave feeling supported and empowered.
Here’s what you can expect when your infant visits Dr. Dhali for the first time:
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Thorough Oral Health Examination: Dr. Dhali will gently examine your child’s gums, jaw, and any baby teeth that have erupted, checking for signs of early decay, developmental concerns, or oral habits that may affect growth.
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Teething and Development Guidance: We’ll talk about what to expect during the teething process and how to soothe sore gums safely and effectively.
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Hygiene Tips for Parents: You’ll receive personalized advice on how to clean your baby’s mouth at home, including when to start using a toothbrush, whether to use toothpaste, and how to make oral care a part of your daily routine.
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Feeding and Nutrition Counseling: We’ll discuss bottle feeding, breastfeeding, and diet choices—especially how they relate to your baby’s risk for cavities. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions that support your child’s oral and overall health.
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Discussion of Habits like Thumb Sucking or Pacifier Use: Dr. Dhali will gently address common habits, explain their potential impact on oral development, and offer age-appropriate strategies if needed.
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Fluoride Recommendations: Based on your child’s unique needs and local water supply, we’ll talk about whether fluoride treatments or supplements are recommended.
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Q&A and Support: Most importantly, we’re here to answer all your questions—no matter how small. We want you to feel confident and cared for as you navigate your baby’s early dental milestones.
Our team takes pride in making each child’s first visit a positive experience that sets the tone for years to come. By creating a welcoming, kid-friendly environment, we help your child feel safe, seen, and celebrated from their very first smile.
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Prevention-Focused
Dr. Dhali takes a prevention-first approach to pediatric dentistry, focusing on early detection, education, and personalized care that supports healthy development at every stage. We empower parents with the tools and knowledge to help their children build lifelong oral health habits—because early dental visits mean fewer surprises down the road and more confident smiles today.
To make high-quality care accessible, Hello Kids Dentistry accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including: Aetna PPO, Anthem, Cigna PPO/HMO, Delta Dental, GEHA, Guardian, Humana, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, Premera, Principal, Regence, United Concordia, United Healthcare, and Apple Health/Molina/ProviderOne.
If you have questions about coverage, our friendly team is happy to help—just give us a call at 425-659-1200.