Dentists Can Help Children Take Good Care of Their Teeth for Life

Getting your child to see dentists in a good light is important since doing so will set the tone for how they will view their dental health. If you want them to take care of their teeth for life, you should make good practices a habit and get their excited about their appointments without making too big a deal out of the whole process. Otherwise, they may feel intimidated. Get some other tips on how to encourage your child to enjoy their trips to the dentist so they become a regular part of their life. 

Choose a dentist who specializes in caring for the teeth of children, or at least choose someone with plenty of experience with kids. A family dentist is fine since this is often convenient, but make sure they can relate to children. Having a bright, playful waiting room and toys to play with is helpful, but a positive, fun attitude from the practitioner is often what is most important when talking to young patients. This will make kids excited for their appointment, or at least prevent them from dreading the visit, as they will not be too bored with a fun practitioner. Ask your friends with kids who they see for dental visits, as this is a start to finding someone who is good with young patients. 

Before the visit, talk to your child about what to expect. Be honest and open, but make sure you do not scare them or bore them with too many details. Most children will ask plenty of questions so they can lead you when deciding what aspects of the visit to talk about. They will likely want to know if the procedure will hurt, how long it will take, and whether you will be in the room with them. If your child does not ask many questions but you want to make them feel excited about the appointment, just consider the kind of questions you would have if you were younger and not familiar with dentists. 

At the appointment, you should expect to go over your child's health records. You can then ask the dentist about any concerns you have about your kid's dental health. The practitioner should examine the patient's teeth and gums, considering how the teeth fit together and whether there are obvious signs of decay. X-rays will likely be taken to find out about any issues with the teeth, and then the results will be discussed. Consider taking your child out for a reward for good behavior at the practitioner, especially if you know he or she was scared but did well. Just be sure to avoid candy, soda, or ice cream; consider sugar-free desserts or a new toy. 

If you still have concerns after learning the basics about pediatric dentistry, call the practitioner. If you do not yet have one to call, ask your kid's pediatrician for referrals to pediatric dentists so that you can get answers to your questions. Proper knowledge will allow you to ensure that your child's smile is healthy for life.