Preparing Your Child For Their First Dental Visit
For many parents, the idea of taking their child to a dentist is somewhat of a worry. You know the temperament of your child, and you may worry about how they will respond to the whole environment. However, you shouldn’t let these concerns get in the way of your child’s oral health. Don’t worry, we’ve compiled some advice for you here!
Visit a Professional – Although it sounds obvious, the first tip is to visit a professional with experience with children. This makes a huge difference. The field of pediatric dentistry in OKC has treated all types of children over the years, so professionals know all the best strategies and ideas to keep your child calm.
When any sort of medical professional lacks experience with children, they’re more likely to say or do something that can make the situation worse. At Reflections Dental Care, we appreciate that both parents and children can come to us with nerves. Therefore, we do our utmost to provide a calm environment. With sedation dentistry and the right approach, we hope to alleviate dental anxiety for your child (or at least make the process more bearable).
Openly Communicate – Often, what scares children about the dentist is the unknown. Kids walk into a dental office, see all sorts of strange equipment, pick up on different smells, and immediately want to turn around and run away. So, one thing you can do is prepare them with a conversation. We often underestimate children and their ability to understand, but some will benefit from understanding why visiting the dentist is important and how it all works.
Try sitting your child down and explaining that they will sit on a special chair, the dentist will count their teeth (look in their mouth), and the whole process is to keep their teeth strong. We aren’t saying that you need to explain the ins and outs of each possible pediatric dental procedure, but a little understanding can go a long way.
Choose a Good Time – You know your child best, so think about when they tend to be in the best moods. Generally speaking, nearly every pediatric dentist in Oklahoma City, OK will tell you that younger children get tired and more difficult to handle as the day goes on. If the same applies to your child, why not book a morning appointment? The more tired your child is, the more likely they are to struggle with the experience, and this can set up years of difficulty for them (and you!).
As children get older, this changes somewhat, and you might be better with an appointment around lunchtime or early afternoon. The best way to book an appointment is to think about your child and when they will be most likely to cooperate. While on this note, try to keep your child well-fed and rested before the appointment because this will also prevent problems.
Bring a Toy – At Reflections Dental Care, we have our favorite mugs and other items that help get us through the day. So, don’t be afraid to allow your child to bring a toy. Whether it’s a cuddly lion or a traditional teddy bear, we can even use toys as an example when explaining things to children.
Stay Calm – Sometimes, we parents can be so focused on our children that we get ourselves into a flap too. If you panic, your child will respond. So, try to stay calm both in the lead-up to the appointment and during. Perhaps having to be strong for your child will help you to overcome your own fear of the dentist.
Take Care of Yourself and Your Time – Many of our pediatric dental patients’ parents get their oral healthcare taken care of at the same time. You can get your teeth cleaned at the same time as your kiddos. This saves you time from driving to another office for separated care. Naturally, we put our kids’ health first and too often at our own expense as parents. No judgment here. Take some time and care for yourself, and save time doing it!
The right pediatric dentist in Oklahoma City will accommodate you as best as possible, and this is what we aim to do at Reflections Dental Care. We’ll offer a time that suits you, they’re welcome to bring a toy, and we can even offer sedation dentistry when it’s required.
When searching for a pediatric dentist in Oklahoma City, OK, contact Reflections Dental Care to learn more about our professionals and whether we can help. Whether your child is preparing for their first visit or for treatment, questions are natural. Rather than confusing yourself in a spiral of internet tabs and windows, call our friendly team today at 405-751-4556. We know that accidents happen too – no judgments here. Contact us now to maintain your child’s oral health – you can also book an appointment on our website!
Dentistry Services For Children in Oklahoma City
At Reflections Dental Care, we believe that understanding your child’s dental needs begins with us truly understanding children. Our caring staff has been assembled with your children in mind.
Our highly qualified team of dental professionals in Oklahoma City understands children and has the skill sets, education, and personality traits that make us an ideal environment for practicing dentistry on children in Oklahoma. Many of us have children of our own that we treat and care for regularly, so you can rest assured that your child is not only in the qualified hands of dental professionals in Oklahoma City, but they are in good hands with loving parents just like you. We understand what it means to be gentle and caring with children while providing an engaging environment that allows your child to feel safe and comfortable.
All of us here at Reflections Dental Care would be pleased to become your child’s dental care team. As children grow, we look to educate and become a resource for them so that they can become responsible for their own oral care on a daily basis at home. Learning is a lifelong process, and understanding oral care, how to brush and floss properly, and taking care of your teeth starts at a young age.
Preventative Dentistry:
It all starts with preventative efforts to make sure your child doesn’t get cavities and understands the health benefits of proper oral care. Starting now will ensure that your child learns healthy tooth care habits at a young age, creating life-long habits. Reflections Dental Care welcomes you and your children to our office where we can treat and care for your child while educating them about proper dental care in Oklahoma City. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that parents get their children in to visit a dentist before the age of one, or shortly after they sprout their first tooth. Visit our office in Oklahoma City today for your child’s first dental appointment.
Regular Oral Exams and Teeth Cleaning:
Tooth decay can begin at a young age. Items like bottles and sippy cups containing sugary juices can negatively affect your child’s oral health. This is why it is recommended that children visit a dentist who works well with children twice a year for an exam and oral evaluation. These preventative measures are needed in order to identify early risk factors of tooth decay as well as monitor the growth and development of your child’s mouth as a whole.
Fluoride Treatments:
Fluoride treatments at a young age are necessary for protecting the enamel of developing teeth. Topical fluoride is safe for children when administered by a dental professional and is considered one of the best treatments for preventing tooth decay in children. Research shows that regular applications of a therapeutic dose of fluoride can reduce your risk of cavities by 75%, regardless of age.
Digital X-Rays:
We pride ourselves in being up to date with the safest, most technologically advanced equipment needed to safely care for children. Digital x-rays give us the opportunity to evaluate the mouth and immediately check for tooth decay and identify any tooth that may be coming in. Digital x-rays also allow us to monitor bone health and identify other issues that may not be visible during a visual exam only.
Tooth Sealants:
Children that have lost their baby teeth and have permanent teeth can benefit from sealants. Sealants are extremely effective for preventing tooth decay in teeth with deep pits and vulnerable surfaces.
Home Care and Child Education:
As your child grows, their dental needs will change, but the general treatment options will remain the same. Day to day oral care should carry into adulthood. Daily brushing and flossing will become lifelong habits that your child will develop and benefit from for years to come. Early development of efficient oral care will support healthy teeth and gums.
Restorative Dentistry For Your Child:
Tooth decay can occur even when proper oral care is being practiced regularly at home. The team at Reflections Dental Care offers restorative dentistry for children in a safe and comfortable environment.
White/Tooth-Colored Fillings:
Not everyone likes the appearance of silver tooth fillings, if you or your child is concerned about silver tooth fillings you can ask about our tooth-colored fillings that blend well with the teeth and give your child a very natural-looking smile. These filings are far more aesthetically appealing to the eyes of our patients.
Pediatric Tooth Extractions:
No, we won’t tie dental floss to a door handle and slam the door. However, if your child needs a tooth removed to allow another tooth to come in, or if there is a tooth that has reached an advanced stage of decay, the extraction of that tooth may be necessary to avoid further problems.
Nerve Treatments For Children:
Believe it or not, there are many children in Oklahoma that suffer from advanced stages of tooth decay. When this happens, the decay can reach deep into the tooth, causing much pain as it reaches the nerve. If this is the case, the nerve will need to be treated so that the tooth can be saved, and no further damage occurs to the nerve.
Cosmetic Dentistry For Children:
Many children benefit from cosmetic dentistry. It can help correct aesthetic flaws that not only affect a child’s ability to chew properly but there are also studies that suggest cosmetic dentistry can improve a child’s self-esteem and self-worth.
Tooth Whitening For Teenagers:
Many teenagers that have had orthodontic work find that after their braces have been removed, their teeth are off-color and can benefit from a whitening treatment. Our Oklahoma City tooth whitening treatments will compliment your child’s new smile and build confidence.
Veneers For Young Patients:
Composite veneers are now available for our young patients. The veneers are bonded to the front of the tooth and help correct various flaws, including gaps, broken or chipped teeth, and off-color teeth.
Mouth Guards & Athletic Appliances:
It doesn’t matter if it’s a recreational sport, or a team sport, mouth guards should be properly fit for the safety of your child’s teeth. If you have already invested time and money into your child’s teeth, then it makes sense to protect that investment for both of you and consider a custom-molded mouth guard for your child.
SEDATION DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN:
Dental anxiety is common in children and helping them get the best experience out of their visit is our number one goal at Reflections Dental Care. If your child fears the dentist’s chair or has fears about a specific procedure that needs to be done, you can consult one of our dentists about sedation dentistry here at our Oklahoma City practice.
Nitrous Oxide & Oxygen:
There may come a time when a child needs a little more assistance relaxing for a procedure. The use of nitrous oxide (or “laughing gas,”) allows the child to feel more at ease without falling asleep. If you would like to learn more about this technique, we suggest a consultation with one of our certified staff members. This technique has been recognized by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as a safe and effective option for children.
EMERGENCY DENTAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN:
All of us at Reflections Dental Care know that accidents can happen at any time. If your emergency should happen during our office hours, call immediately so we can get your child in. If an incident occurs after hours, call and listen to the automated recording for instructions.
Toothaches In Young Children:
Young children often complain of toothaches, but there isn’t always an obvious sign or cause of the discomfort. You should thoroughly clean your child’s mouth so that you can inspect the tooth. If the problem area has an obvious sign of irritation like food lodged in between the teeth, then using dental floss and rinsing with water is a great place to start. If there continues to be an issue and visible swelling or irritation of the gums you should contact our dental office in Oklahoma City and schedule an appointment.
For any other issues troubling your child’s mouth, teeth, or gums, you should contact us for an appointment. If your child has experienced trauma to the mouth or jaw and is in need of medical attention, we recommend calling 911 or taking them to the hospital, depending on the severity of the injury.
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