WHAT TO EXPECT: PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Don’t Forget Your Kid’s Back-to-School Dental Visit!

As parents, we want the best for our little ones in every way, including their dental health and hygiene! 

In the rush of the first weeks back to school, it might be tempting to ignore the urgency of your child’s bi-annual dental exam, but skipping it could mean more issues for your child’s mouth! 

Summer was full of fun in the sun and probably a few more late-night sweets than we would typically allow. But that’s what being a kid is all about! Those 

Back-to-school physical? Scheduled. New clothes and shoes? Bought. But don’t forget about your children’s teeth! It may be tempting to wait until you are in the swing of things to schedule your dental appointment, but it’s every bit as important as a yearly physical. Plus, some schools require a dentist’s signature verifying your child has a clean bill of dental health. 

Ensuring that they have a bright and healthy smile all starts with your child’s pediatric dental experience!

CREATING HABITS TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SMILE

Good oral health is a lifelong commitment that requires a strong foundation. Studies have shown that bringing your kids in for regular check-ups can help guide them towards lifelong, healthy habits!

Most kids don’t take subtle hints and create intentional habits from them. Our experiences can resonate for a lifetime, and our actions speak louder than words. Simply talking to your kiddo about how important proper dental hygiene is won’t have as much impact as showing them. That is why prioritizing your child’s dental health by taking the time to bring them in for regular dentist appointments and showing them healthy habits sends the message that oral health matters! 

KEEPING LITTLE SMILES HEALTHY

Some adults think those baby teeth aren’t as important as adult teeth because “they’ll just fall out anyway.” This is entirely false, though! Baby teeth are essential for proper growth and development. They can provide your dentist with crucial insight into your child’s future dental needs! 

During your visit, your dentist will analyze your child’s dental and jaw development and create a long-term plan of care for them. 

Choosing to hold off on teaching your children healthy dental habits until after their baby teeth have all been replaced by their adult teeth can make it exponentially harder to instill lifelong healthy habits. While pediatric dentistry is more rooted in preventative care than reactive care – it’s essential not to skip any visits or check-ups to continue reinforcing the thought that dental health is a priority!

KEEPING IT POSITIVE 

How often do you have to remind your children of something they should or should not do? Kids, especially in their younger years, are surrounded by things they should or should not do, making it hard to know which lessons will sink in. 

Studies show that one of the most effective ways to encourage kids on their dental health journey is through a combination of positive reinforcement and encouragement from professionals. 

Your child’s pediatric dentist and dental hygienists can help strengthen the message that dental health is important- Not only will they provide fun lessons about brushing and flossing, but they also stand out as authoritative figures. Kids are more likely to keep up healthy habits with positive reinforcement from their dentist like this, “No cavities! You must be brushing and flossing every day. Keep up the good work!” 

BRINGING SMILES INTO THE DENTIST’S OFFICE 

Even as an adult, you may still get a rush of nerves when you think about going into your dentist’s office. Your feelings about going to the dentist are often dictated by experiences you had there as a child. 

That’s why it’s so important to introduce your child to the dentist as a fun and exciting place to go. Raising your child to have positive dental experiences early on normalizes and promotes those healthy habits. As parents, our offices are intentionally designed to be a welcoming place for your entire family, especially your children. Beautiful and bright scan design, fun photos, kid-friendly entertainment for them to stream during their appointment, and awesome prizes help your child feel comfortable in our office. Our team is trained to work with children and are often characterized as reassuring, patient, understanding, and kind. Choosing the right family dental office can have significant effects on your child’s lifelong relationship with his or her oral health. 

WHAT NOW?

Getting to our never-ending-list for these kids can seem daunting. But, we all know that regular visits to the dentist for your child are essential to setting them up for life of healthy habits and more importantly, oral health. Step one is choosing the right pediatric and family dentist, and after that, you can work one on one to develop a plan of care customized for your little ones and their needs!

While you are in, we can touch mom up with some fun cosmetic procedures while your littles are in getting their cleanings!

Head over to our website, give us a call, or you can even text our office to book your next appointment – Our team is excited to welcome you back to a great year!