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Children have sensitive hearts and are often frightened of visiting the dentist for the first time. However, it is necessary to schedule their first dental appointment no later than their first birthday, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's guidelines, to ensure their healthy smile and normal oral development.
Now the question how to prepare them for their first dental visit to the pediatric dentist in Houston. So,. here are few tips on how to prepare children to turn their scary pediatric dental visit thoughts into an enjoyable experience:
If you were thinking about taking your child to your family dentist, skip it now. It is a much better option to choose a dentist who specializes in children and has a deep and clear understanding of their development and psychology. They have got training about the children's specified oral development and special needs, which helps them provide the required treatment at the right time.
So, look for the best pediatric dentists for your child near you, either through some references or online research. Have a tour of their dental office before scheduling an appointment to look at their environment and select the right one who can provide your children with the care they genuinely need.
As children have a lot of impact from their parent's behavior, you should have good control over your fear and anxiety of going to the dentist if you're dealing with it.
Avoid expressing negative feelings or talking about bad experiences in front of them, as it could become the cause of boosting your child's fear of the dentist. Make them understand about the dentist in positive terms and try your best to stay happy and calm.
When you’re preparing your child for the dentist, make them watch videos and read books about going to the dentist. Books and videos are proven to have a positive impact on children's minds. It happens when they see their favorite characters happily having their dental treatment or same-aged fellows visiting the dentist without having any anxiety or negative thoughts.
As it is hard to find good related literature, here are a few books about going to the dentist and related stories you can choose for your children to get started:
You can make your child familiar with the dental office environment by swapping the roles with the dentist. Pretend you're a dentist and ask your child to open your mouth and let you count and check. You can also ask your child to brush their teeth to show how they take care of their oral hygiene.
Don't forget to bring your child's comforting companion when they're going to experience new things, such as their first dental appointment. It could be their favorite toy, stuffed animal, or a person. A beloved companion by their side can help relieve their anxiety and make their first dental visit more manageable and enjoyable.
Preparing your child for their first dentist visit requires you to have a friendly yet thoughtful conversation with them about what to expect and how to behave well. Avoid using a warning tone and tell them about how friendly the tooth doctor will be. Explain that the dentist will ask you to show your teeth to ensure your smile is bright and healthy. Allow them to ask questions and make them clear by answering politely and positively.
Note: Tell your children about their first dentist appointment on the same day and not too far in advance.
Before planning to visit the dentist, take a few steps by yourself from your child's birth to prevent decay and other oral health problems. As soon as your child starts getting their first tooth bud onto the gums, always clean their gums and buds with a damp cloth or a soft toothbrush after breastfeeding to avoid the accumulation of bacteria on the lactose.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children younger than eight years are at greater risk of developing fluorosis, causing teeth discoloration, yellow or brown spots, or pitting in the most severe forms.
So, don't apply fluoridated toothpastes until two years of age, as fluoridated toothpastes have more than 1 PPM fluoride concentration, which could readily affect the developing enamel bud, resulting in fluorosis. After two years, you can use kids-specialized toothpaste, having no or least fluoride concentration.
Familiarize your child with the dental rooms by showing them videos of a child receiving dental treatment happily and peacefully to help them prepare for dentist appointments. Take their favorite toys and games with you while bringing them to the dentist to distract them if they start feeling frightened.
Furthermore, you should prepare your queries about their oral hygiene practices and precautions before the visit to receive all the guidance you may require for always keeping your child's smile brighter and healthier.
So, is it the right time to schedule your child’s first dental visit? Book an appointment now!
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