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.
Alfred Kelley
As a parent, it's your responsibility to make sure your child's teeth are healthy and growing like they're supposed to. Part of this regiment involves taking them to see a pediatric dentist. This specialist can provide the following services.
Cavity Prevention Education
Cavities are perhaps the most common dental issue that children face today. Whether it's because of genetics or poor eating habits, cavities can cause pain and lead to significant structural issues. The best way to approach them for your child is to prevent them all together.
This will be more feasible when you take them to a pediatric dentist, who can teach them all about cavity prevention. Your child will learn how to take care of their teeth so that the occurrence of cavities developing isn't as high. This might involve eating better, brushing teeth with a special toothpaste, and chewing special dental gum that's rich in calcium.
Oral Health Examination
If this is your child's first time to a dentist — let alone a pediatrics dentist — then they'll need a comprehensive checkup. A pediatrics dentist can perform a thorough oral health examination, checking integral structures for possible problems.
More specifically, the dentist will check for cavities, gum bleeding, misalignment, plaque buildup, chipped teeth, and other structural issues. Whatever problems exist, they'll be documented in a concise report. They'll then go over this report with you and your child, so you know the exact status of their oral health. You can then tackle these problems head-on before they get any worse.
Dental Cleaning
After a while, plaque can build up on your child's teeth. Although this seems like a non-issue, it can slowly turn into tartar and lead to gum disease. You don't need this happening to your child and it won't with assistance from a pediatric dentist.
For plaque, they offer thorough dental cleanings. This procedure is pretty straightforward and won't take that long. They'll use an instrument known as a scaler around your child's teeth and gum lines to remove any plaque that has built up. Then, they'll thoroughly rinse your child's mouth out to leave it clean and feeling refreshed. These cleanings can be performed every week or month, depending on your budget.
It's so important for your children to practice good oral hygiene. This should involve regular trips to a pediatric dentist. They can perform all sorts of helpful procedures, so that your child's teeth look great and remain structurally sound. For more information about pediatric dental care, contact a child's dentist in your area.