Teaching Your Children About the Dentist
About Me
Teaching Your Children About the Dentist

I work as a clerical assistant in a pediatric dental office, and I am commonly surprised by the number of children who are scared of the dentist. Many kids think that cleanings will be painful, and they believe they will be scolded for eating sugary foods. Children are also extremely frightful of the noises made by the water spraying tools and the suction devices. As adults, we know that dental cleanings are easy and free of pain. We need to impart this knowledge to our children so they know not to fear the dentist. I have provided blogs that will help you speak with your child about dental care. Good communication, trips to your own dentist, and online videos can assist you. So will good brushing techniques that will make your child proud to see the dentist. Enjoy my articles so you can help your child build oral care confidence.

Tags
Categories

Teaching Your Children About the Dentist

3 Tips to Keep Down Pediatric Orthodontics Costs

Alfred Kelley

Does your child need braces or other orthodontic work? Are you suffering from shock after seeing the price estimates? Braces can be a costly form of treatment, but they can also pay lifelong dividends. They'll help your child be confident in their smile and appearance and avoid serious dental issues later in life. Regardless of the benefits, there's no doubt that braces can be difficult to afford for many families.

Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to keep the cost down. One of the most effective is to shop around and get estimates from multiple orthodontist offices. Even once you've selected your orthodontist, there still may be steps you can take to minimize the financial impact. Below are a few tips to consider:

Negotiate a payment plan.

Orthodontic work often costs thousands of dollars. Depending on how much work is needed, you may not be able to pay upfront and you may be hesitant to put it on a credit card. Fortunately, most orthodontists will let you negotiate a payment plan, sometimes at little or no interest. While a payment plan may not reduce the total cost of the work, it can spread out the payments and reduce the impact. A payment plan could also help you avoid putting the charges on a credit card, which could accumulate interest.

Wear retainers and other devices according to the instructions.

Often children who wear braces also need other devices, such as retainers or headgear. These are meant to compliment the braces and accelerate the shifting of the teeth. Unfortunately, retainers, headgear, and other orthodontic devices can be uncomfortable or visibly awkward and your child may be reluctant to wear them. Despite this, it's important not to skip wearing these devices. Encourage your child to wear the retainer or any other recommended devices according to the orthodontist's instructions. These devices are meant to shorten the time that braces are needed, which will reduce the number of office visits and the overall cost.

Ask about accelerated orthodontics.

Some orthodontists are now offering a service known as accelerated orthodontics. This process combines traditional braces with advanced in-office procedures that are meant to stimulate bone development and accelerate the shifting of the teeth. These procedures could dramatically reduce the amount of time required for the braces, perhaps by as much as half. This could cut your overall cost and get your kid out of braces much more quickly.

Talk with a company like Chikes Orthodontics about strategies to minimize the cost. Most orthodontists will likely work with you to find an acceptable option.


Share