Bringing Your Young Child to the Dentist May Be More Important Than You Think
Good home oral care is something that is best learned in childhood. The best way you can encourage your child to grow into an adult who takes care of their teeth is to show them how important oral health is as to ensure you’re taking them to the dentist at a young age. However, this isn’t the only reason that the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that kids start coming to the dentist when they reach their first birthday. Read on to learn more and then contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to make an appointment.
What to expect during your first visit with a family dentist
The first thing we’ll do is take a look at your child’s teeth to see if there are any signs of decay and if there’s any evidence that your child is experiencing developmental problems. We will talk with you about your child’s teeth and go over home care instructions. We can answer any questions you may have and are happy to provide additionally information on any specific concerns you have
Children should continue to see their dentist twice a year
After their first dental appointment, we’ll want to see your child back every six months for a dental cleaning and checkup. We’ll continue to keep an eye on your child’s oral health as they get older. Remember that with any medical issue, the earlier we discover any potential issues, the easier it will be to take care of them.
How to ensure your child has a positive attitude about visiting the dentist
There are millions of people with dental phobias and research has shown that this mostly begins in childhood. It’s often simply the result of a child being overwhelmed by the dentist’s office and not understanding what’s going on. We suggest that you bring your child to our offices when you come in for a checkup. This will get them used to coming to our office and will introduce your child to our staff.
We also suggest that you don’t use words they’ll hear negatively, like needle or hurt. Other ways to foster a positive attitude including playing dentist so your child will know in advance what’s likely to happen at the dentist, asking your dentist to explain the procedure step by step to your child so they know what to expect, and to always answer your child’s questions honestly. This doesn’t mean you have to scare them, but if they don’t trust you to tell them the truth, then you could end up doing more harm than good.
Are you ready to come visit your local dentist?
At California Dental Group, we look forward to meeting you and your family. We are full-service dental practices with numerous offices throughout California. Everyone at each location is trained in how to care for the whole family. We believe in the power of dental hygiene from a young age. Call our offices today at (800) 407-0161 to learn more.
