4 Ways to Make a Child Feel More Comfortable About the Dentist

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A visit to the dentist can make adults nervous, so it’s no wonder if a child feels scared or anxious about it. Fortunately, there are measures you and your dentist can take to help. Whether it’s a child’s first visit or not, these four tips can help them feel more comfortable with the idea of going to the dentist.

1. Bring Your Child to a Family or Children’s Dentist

Family and pediatric dentists take special precautions to improve a child’s experience. This can include elements like a calming atmosphere, toys in the waiting room and professionals who are good with children. A dentist can use certain language and techniques to improve dental services. In some cases, they may use sedation dentistry, which can be safe for children as well as adults.

2. Be a Good Role Model

As a parent, you have an opportunity to help your child feel at ease. Children may pick up on your hesitancy related to your own dental appointments, so try to show positive reactions to the dentist and focus on how dental visits make the teeth clean and healthy. Also, with a family dentist, you may be able to set up your general checkups together so you can go as a family.

3. Begin Early

Bring your child to the dentist as young as possible, ideally at one-year-old or when the first tooth starts popping in. This gets your child accustomed to the dentist from the start rather than it being an unwanted activity sprung on them later.

4. Don’t Explain Too Much

Before the first visit, avoid telling your child all about the dental experience or trying to prepare them for pain. You could create unnecessary anxiety, and you might make it confusing or difficult if the dentist approaches it in a different manner or the experience turns out differently than you said. An American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry national spokesperson advised parents in Parents magazine to simply say the dentist will “check their smile and count their teeth.” Then, the dentist will have kid-friendly ways to explain the specific procedures the child may need.

At Woodlane Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we have a friendly team that loves to laugh and make each patient feel as comfortable as possible.

5 Facts About Pediatric Oral Health All Parents Should Know

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As a parent or caregiver to a child, there is probably nothing you wouldn’t do to protect your child. However, dental care is one of those aspects of care that tends to be disregarded as not as important as everything else. To better understand just how important pediatric dental care is, here is a look at some of the must-know facts.

1. How many kids get cavities?

About 42 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 11 will develop spots of decay (cavities) in at least one of their baby teeth. Being vigilant about dental appointments and good oral hygiene routines is critical during these ages to help thwart the risks of cavity development. Even older children can be at risk of developing dental caries in their permanent teeth when they get older.

2. How many kids need braces?

About 45 million Americans have braces, and 80 percent of those individuals are children or adolescents. Even though braces are primarily to help with the aesthetics of a smile, straightening the bite can have benefits for speech, bite, and overall oral health.

3. How many children do not get the dental care they need?

According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 children do not get the necessary level of dental care they need. In some cases, parents do not have access to dental insurance coverage for the child, but the lack of care can also come from the assumption that dental care is not as important. Unfortunately, lacking dental treatment in early childhood can have negative repercussions on the child’s overall health and well-being for the rest of their life. Many schools have gotten involved to help combat these numbers by providing free or low-cost dental checkups or requiring dental checkups as a part of being enrolled.

Let Us Help You with Pediatric Dental Care in Woodbury, MN

With all the facts, it is easy to see just why pediatric dental care is so important. If you are looking for a good pediatric dentist to help you keep your child’s precious smile healthy, reach out to us at Woodlane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Woodbury, MN to schedule an appointment.

How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

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If you’re like most people, you associate your visits to the dentist as a child with significant feelings of dread. You may have even been quite frightened before your very first visit. Older siblings and friends often enjoy teasing younger children about going to the dentist and making it seem worse than it really is. It’s also highly likely that your parents influenced your anxiety as well even if they never outright said anything negative about the dentist — children don’t need words to pick up on the emotions of their parents. If your child is due for that first dental visit, you may find yourself reliving those early emotions, but it’s important not to transfer them to your child. Here’s what you can do to make your child’s first dental visit go as seamlessly as possible.

Make the Appointment for the Morning

Most young children become cranky during the afternoon hours, particularly with anything that upsets their routine or interferes with their nap. Make the appointment for the morning, and make sure they get plenty of rest the night before.

Have Your Paperwork in Order

You’ll need to provide a complete medical history of your child for the dentist as well as insurance and incidental information, so do this online prior to the visit that you’ll be able to focus your attention on your child once you arrive at the dentist’s office.

Arrive Slightly Ahead of Schedule

Getting their slightly ahead of time gives you and your child the chance to relax in the waiting room. Ideally, the dentist will have a child-friendly waiting area designed to calm young nerves, equipped with books, toys, and games. First impressions matter a lot, and if your child’s first few moments at the dentist’s office have pleasant associations, your child is less likely to feel anxiety going forward.

Choosing the right dentist is also important. The dentist and their staff should have the ability to make children comfortable and to take the time to answer any questions little minds may have. Please feel free to contact our office in Woodbury, MN, to schedule an appointment or for more information on making your child’s first dental visit go as smoothly as possible.