It is common for kids to struggle with anxiety or fears when it is time for their annual dental exam. While it is important to find a dentist who can make the younger members of the family feel at ease during their time in the office, it is equally important for parents to trust in the care and services the dentist will provide. Each experience in the dental chair has an impact on how calm and compliant a child will be during future visits, so it is important to create positive experiences for everyone from the earliest appointments.
As an adult, it is easier to recognize the importance of the need for professional dental cleanings and checkups and push past any hesitancies or anxieties about scheduling an appointment. As a parent, you also need to recognize that dental care is equally important for children in spite of their reluctance to go for a checkup. Finding the right dentist makes routine dental care more acceptable and pleasant for kids of all ages.
Dentists deal with oral health, but there are different concerns and needs across age ranges. Dental school provides the education needed to address dental conditions, but experience can provide the extra touch needed to relate well to children. To find a dentist who has a reputation for working well with younger ages, consider asking friends or family members for a recommendation. A good dentist will have patience with young patients who are anxious or fidgety. A good relationship between all members of the family and the dentist makes the visit more manageable and enjoyable.
Dental checkups are recommended at least once or twice a year for comprehensive oral care. Children face a number of factors that impact teeth and gum health, such as poor diet, improper brushing and flossing techniques, and tooth loss. Only making a trip to the dentist when there is pain or discomfort does little to create a positive experience for children and interferes with the ability of the dentist to encourage good dental care practices or uncover potential problems.
To alleviate the concerns of visiting a dentist, prepare the child for an upcoming appointment. Read books about dentists or schedule a tour of the dental office before the day of the checkup. Have a role-playing session where the child can pretend to be the dentist or the patient and walk through some of the procedures that they will encounter.
Visiting a dental office can be intimidating, but meeting a child’s physical and emotional needs during a checkup can make a difference. Staff who are warm and welcoming can do a lot to dispel a child’s fears, as do waiting rooms and dental rooms that are engaging to children. Rewards or incentives can also be motivating to children as they sit through their exams.
It is easier to encourage good oral hygiene in a child when you are able to find a dentist who works well with children. Instilling a positive experience at a young age can lead to good lifelong dental habits.
Are you considering a dentist in the Northvale area? Get more information at https://www.brdental.com.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Find a Dentist in Northvale, NJ.
Learning when to take your child to a general dentist is necessary. While many children should be taken to see a dentist every six months, some children need to be seen more often. It simply depends on each child’s specific situation when it comes to how often they need to go to a dental office…
Bad breath, or halitosis, is a condition that no one wants to have. Despite brushing and flossing every day, bad breath happens to everyone at times. Luckily, there are several ways you can improve your halitosis. If simple methods do not work, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to find out if it…
General dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity. Additionally, the maxillofacial area and adjacent and associated structures are treated by a general dentist. General of dentistry involves using a general dentist, which is a dental patient's first point of contact when they are experiencing…
If you have tooth or gum pain and are wondering if you should visit the dentist, you are facing a decision millions of people have to deal with every year. In general, most dental problems require the assistance of a dentist or at least a dental hygienist. However, some dental maladies are worse than others.If…
Considering dental implants? No one should have to live with missing teeth that cause cosmetic or oral health concerns, and dental implants help many replace missing teeth and regain confidence in their smile. Along with the cosmetic benefits, many find better oral health, improved function and other advantages with dental implants.There are many benefits dental…
After getting dental veneers, you will want to have a plan for the next several days and weeks. Veneers are sometimes known as “instant orthodontics” because they can drastically reshape and whiten your teeth. It is very rare to experience side effects from dental veneers. However, it is possible that you will experience temperature sensitivity…