Pediatric Dentistry Near You
Young children have a lot going on, including emerging baby teeth and the responsibility that comes with protecting their teeth and smile. These early years are a great time to instill proper oral hygiene habits and get your child used to visiting the dentist so that they make this a lifelong habit and protect the health of their teeth into adulthood.
Preparing Your Child
To prevent tantrums and meltdowns, it is recommended that parents schedule the first dental visit for their toddler in the morning. The reason is that children are normally in a better mood earlier in the day and less likely to become overwhelmed or upset if they are alert and rested.
The best way to prepare very young children is simply to adopt a positive attitude. Young children easily pick up on the emotions of their parents, even if the parent thinks that they are hiding their true feelings. So make sure that you have a relaxed attitude when preparing your child for their first dental visit so that they are more likely to feel at ease.
First Visit
Your child’s first dental visit is likely to be a relatively brief one. Typically, the focus of this initial appointment is to give you and your child a chance to meet their dental team and develop a relationship of trust.
First Visit Tips
- Be a role model: Let your child watch you brush and floss your teeth and help them realize that this can be a fun activity.
- Make it an adventure: Turn the visit into a fun outing, rather than something to be dreaded. For example, you may want to contact our office and find out about all of the toys and entertainment that we have for children so that your child knows what to expect.
- Pretend: Depending upon your child’s age, you can role-play as the dentist and go through the motions that a dentist might perform at their appointment, such as holding a mirror to their mouth or counting their teeth.
What To Expect
Before they are seated in the dentist’s chair, you and your child will be given a tour of the office, including dental tools and an explanation of how their teeth and mouth will be examined. This is a great time to allow your child to become familiar and comfortable with our office and dental staff.
Your child may receive a dental exam at their first or second visit. They would sit in the dentist’s chair, possibly on your lap if they are a toddler. Your dentist will count and inspect each tooth, as well as their jaw, bite and gums. X-rays may be taken if necessary.
Your child may also receive a thorough dental cleaning and a fluoride treatment to protect their teeth from tooth decay.
Preventing Cavities
The best way to prevent cavities is to brush and floss your child’s teeth and eventually show them how to do it themselves. Your dentist will provide you with educational resources so that nothing is left to chance in this important area.
Cavity Prevention Tips
Here are some tips to help your child prevent cavities:
- Make regular visits to your dentist
- Brush two or three times per day
- Floss each day
It also helps to start young children out with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Children usually have somewhat sensitive gums; hard-bristled toothbrushes can damage their teeth and gums.
For More Information
To request more information about your child’s pediatric dental care, please contact our office at your earliest convenience.