How to Improve Your Kid’s Dental Visit

The importance of children’s dentistry as it pertains to their dental and overall health is clear. Taking steps to ensure your child’s dental health is in good shape is a great way to get them motivated about keeping up with their oral health for the long term. One of the challenges about getting kids to the dentist is that they may have some apprehension or fears about the dentist. Starting early and keeping your child on track with their oral health is important. Below you will find helpful ways to improve your kid’s dental visit.

How to Improve Your Kid’s Dental Visit

Adding to the list of tasks you have to do as a parent can be daunting. However, getting your child excited about their oral health when they are young can take the burden off of you in the long run. Consider the following tips to help improve your child’s next dental visit.

Start Early:

Roughly 9% of children experience dental anxiety. Getting your child familiar with the dentist at a young age can help reduce their anxiety about the dentist office. Most dentists recommend taking your child to the dentist once their first tooth erupts, or no later than their first birthday. Starting early can help ensure that the dentist can catch any potential dental issues early on, in addition to getting your child used to going to the dentist.

Play Pretend in Advance:

One of the best ways to get your child excited about the dentist is through play. Children learn by watching and modeling your behavior. Find a fun dentist toy set and start talking to your child about the importance of taking care of their oral health. This can help prepare them for the tools, sounds, and atmosphere of a dental office before their first visit.

Find a Family Dentist:

A family dentist is skilled in treating family members of all ages, including children. They understand the unique nature of working with kids. A family dentist can distract your child during the visit and get you out of the office much faster. This can be highly beneficial for your child as they will feel much more comfortable with a family dentist in Arcadia. Having a good dental visit can ensure your child wants to come back the next time without issue.

Discuss the Visit:

You’ll need to make the discussion age-appropriate, but it’s important to talk to your child about their upcoming dental visit. Use positive language about how the visit will go, the sounds they may hear, and what they may see. You can also explain how important oral health is so they understand why they need to keep going to the dentist. Getting your child familiar with the dentist and educating them on the role they have in their health can be really helpful for your child.

Letting Your Child Lead:

Children love autonomy and expressing themselves. You can let your child lead when it comes to the day of the dental appointment. They can open the door, walk-in, talk with the receptionist, and lead the way to the dentist in Arcadia. This can help them feel a sense of control over the appointment and feel empowered versus fearful. Talk with your child before and get them excited about their big day!

Celebrate Post-Appointment:

One of the best ways to get through a difficult appointment is having fun plans afterward. Plan a fun day after the appointment by heading to the park, having lunch, or going swimming. Plan something fun that your child really likes to do for after the appointment. This can help ease some anxiety and give them something to look forward to after the appointment.


Premier Dental Esthetics Has A Solution For Dental Anxiety

Oral Conscious SedationSome of our patients at Premier Dental Esthetics in Arcadia experience severe anxiety when undergoing dental treatment. With sedation dentistry, it is possible for them to get the dental treatment  they need.

You may want to consider sedation dentistry if you have any of the following issues:

  • Strong gag reflex
  • Fear of needles
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Fear and anxiety associated with dental treatment
  • Difficulty getting numb
  • A history of negative dental experiences
  • Trouble controlling body movement due to Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy or related condition
  • Need extensive dental treatment requiring lengthy dental visits

We provide three sedation dentistry options. You might consider each one a little stronger than the one preceding it.

  • Nitrous Oxide. Commonly known as laughing gas, it is administered through a mask (as in the accompanying photo). Nitrous gives patients a giddy, relaxed feeling. It may or may not make you laugh. It’s been used in dentistry for more than a century, to great effect. It works quickly and wears off quickly.
  • Oral Conscious Sedation. This involves taking a sedative an hour or so before your appointment. As its name implies, you’ll remain awake during your procedure. But you will be extremely relaxed. Most patients are largely unaware of what is going on around them. You’ll need someone to drive you home when your appointment is over.
  • IV Sedation. Administered intravenously, IV sedation is very powerful. Most patients stay awake during their procedure, but are not very alert. It is the strongest option we have. You’ll need a ride home afterward. Plan on taking the rest of the day off.

At Premier Dental Esthetics in Arcadia, we want our patients to get the dental care they need in order to have healthy teeth and gums. In addition to sedation, we provide family dentistry and many other services.

Contact Premier Dental Esthetics – Peter S. Young, DDS:

626-445-2536

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301 W Huntington Dr. Ste 217
Arcadia, California
91007

 

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Worried About Dental Visits? Sedation Dentistry in Arcadia

sleep dentistry Pasadena

Millions of Americans cope with dental anxiety – a fear of the dentist so great, they avoid going to the dentist. Sedation dentistry from Premier Dental Esthetics in Arcadia may be the solution to this problem.

Avoiding something you don’t like seems sensible, at first. The problem is that it puts your dental health at risk. That’s not to downplay dental anxiety. It can be so strong that some are left panic-stricken.

Much of this anxiety is brought on by the fear of pain, or the fear of injections. Fear, certainly, is a natural human emotion. But it can exact a very high toll.

Premier Dental Esthetics offers its patients sedation dentistry as a solution to dental anxiety. We have three levels:

Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, has been used in dentistry for more than one hundred years. It is safe and effective, and will keep you totally relaxed.

Oral conscious sedation involves taking a sedative about an hour before your scheduled procedure. The medication used most often is Triazolam, a safe and quick-acting medication. It has virtually no side effects, but you’ll need a ride home.

IV Sedation is administered intravenously. It will definitely make you drowsy, and may even make you sleep. Once your procedure is over, you’ll need someone to drive you back home.

Please don’t dental anxiety keep you from receiving the quality dental care your teeth require. In addition to sedation dentistry, Premier Dental Esthetics practices family and cosmetic dentistry, and provides emergency dental care.

Contact Premier Dental Esthetics – Peter S. Young, DDS:

626-445-2536

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

301 W Huntington Dr. Ste 217
Arcadia, California
91007