Questions You Should Ask Your Childrens Dentist

The time has finally come to find a good children's dentist and bring your child in for their introduction to the world of professional oral care. It can be tough to watch your kids grow up and pass milestones at the speed of light, but fulfilling at the same time. The ADA recommends bringing your child in for dental examination as soon as their baby teeth start to come in so they can get the oral care they require. Before you go, however, it is worth it to come up with some questions you can ask your dental professional. So much information is available online these days, but that doesn't necessarily make it good information. Getting information specific to your child is always the best way to stay on top of healthcare concerns. Here are a few questions to get you started.

Should your child eat or drink before the appointment?

This is a question you should pose to your children's dentist before bringing little Johnny or Suzy in for the first time. Dental professionals have different approaches to this subject, and it will depend on what is being done. In some cases, having breakfast or a snack before the appointment will make little difference. Other cases will require that your child fast for a bit before being brought in. Make sure you find out from the source which tact to take before the appointment.

What should you do to prepare your child?

A kid's first trip to the children's dentist can be a scary experience. Though they may be used to trips to the pediatrician, dental work is a whole different story. First of all, it makes sense to find a dental office that is committed to making the environment as friendly and welcoming to kids as possible. Too many pediatric dental professionals have offices that would be better suited to treat adults. This usually doesn't work. There should be pretty pictures on the wall, toys in the waiting room, and the dentist should have a manner befitting someone who works well with children. As for your part, consult with the dental office on ways you can talk to your child and get them ready for a big step.

What to expect?

Part of preparing both your child and yourself is finding out exactly what will be happening during the appointment. Unless impossible, it's a good idea to keep the first appointment with a children's dentist short and sweet. The more painless (figuratively speaking—there should be no actual pain involved in a child's first appointment) the appointment, the less resistance the child will have in the future. There are adults who dread going to the dentist, and many of these phobias have their root in childhood. A good first experience can go a long way.