We strive to help our patients feel confident in their smiles—no matter their age.

For some people, going to the dentist can be a nerve-racking experience. As parents, we want to do everything we can to keep our children from feeling that way. Instead, we want the dental office to be a fun, inviting place where our children can lay the groundwork for lifelong smiles. Here at Metro East Dental, we strive to make our patients of all ages feel comfortable every time they come to visit the dentist.

We’re a dentist for all ages!

Sometimes, finding a dentist that works with children and adults of all ages is the key to helping your little one feel comfortable at the dentist. Not only do they get to see their siblings and other children around their age go back, but they also see how it works for their parents. This can go a long way to relieve any anxiousness they may feel.

We have a friendly team.

Our team truly enjoys helping take care of your little ones. And we never judge anyone for the current state of their teeth. We understand that life happens and that everyone needs a helping hand. We want to ensure that every patient feels welcome and at home in our office no matter their age. Each member of our team is passionate about what they do, and many of them are parents themselves! If you or your child has any questions before, during, or after your appointment, rest assured that our team will be more than happy to answer them.

And don’t forget Dr. May! His goal is to make every dental visit enjoyable. He stays up to date on ever-evolving dental technologies to ensure the best possible experience for each one of his patients.

We offer sedation options for anxious patients.

You might know nitrous oxide by its other name, laughing gas. It is a sweet-smelling sedative of nitrogen and oxygen that your child inhales through a little mask to help them relax. Though it is a kind of sedative, it isn’t intended to put your child to sleep. Instead, they may feel some funny tingling in their legs and arms. Once the dentist is finished, the patient will breathe pure oxygen for a few minutes to return back to normal.

We take digital X-rays.

Digital X-rays are a lot easier for children than traditional film X-rays used in past years. The child only has to sit still for a fraction of the time, and images are viewable instantly.

Digital X-rays also use significantly less radiation than traditional film X-rays. And the dentist or hygienist can adjust these X-rays to focus on a specific point if necessary since they are digital. The panoramic versions also provide a high-resolution image of the entirety of your child’s mouth, which gives Dr. May a big-picture view for more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Other Helpful Ideas

While preparing your child for their upcoming appointment, pull out some books! There are many options that teach your child what to expect. From well-known characters such as Curious George to a little boy named Freddy, there are plenty of stories for your children to learn from.

And don’t hesitate to let your little one bring a comfort item to their appointment. Whether this is a stuffed animal or a favorite blanket, having their comfort toy with them will go a long way to helping them feel just a little more secure in the new territory.

Now for Your Anxieties

Taking your little one to the dentist for the first time can be nerve-racking. Your mind can come up with all sorts of things: Will your little one cooperate? Will they just spend the entire appointment trying to run away from the dentist? Don’t worry! The dentist completely understands your concern. (They work with children, after all.) But to help you feel a little more prepared before the time comes, we have a post all about what to expect when you take your child to their first appointment!

Never fear—we are here for you!

If you are on the hunt for the best family dentist in Granite City for you and your little ones, please feel free to contact us. We know that finding the perfect dental home for your child can be hard. You never know how they’re going to react to a new environment, and your mind swirls with all the things that could go wrong. Here at Metro East Dental Care, we make your family feel at home. Whether someone needs nitrous oxide to help them combat dental jitters or the open communication with our friendly team does the trick, we want you to know that we are here for you and your family every step of the way.

If you have any questions or are ready to book an appointment, you can request an appointment in just a few easy clicks.