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.


How Often Should My Kid See the Dentist?

Children start developing teeth at a very early age; in fact, they even have teeth in the womb. By the time those teeth start erupting and becoming visible, you might start wondering when to take them to the dentist. It is a good idea to get them used to the dentist’s office before they are 3 years of age. But as they grow, they should continue to have their oral health monitored by a dentist. So, how often should your kid see the dentist?

How Often Should My Kid See the Dentist?

For all of those wondering, “How often should my kid see the dentist?” keep reading below. You can learn some important facts about your child’s dental health and find out how often they should pay a visit to the friendly family dentist near Pasadena.

Regular Dental Visits

Once your child grows their first tooth, try scheduling a dental appointment every 6 months. You should at least schedule a checkup a couple of times a year. This can ensure no major dental issues need to be addressed. As your child’s teeth continue to grow, you’ll need to monitor their health. Because they will start to experience new sensations in the mouth.

But don’t take a positive bill of health as a sign that your child doesn’t need to go to the dentist! Healthy teeth are great, and the best way to keep them healthy is to ensure that they are still getting checked regularly by a professional.

Children and Oral Health Issues

Children should go to the dentist every 6 months. Why? Because it is easy for an oral health issue to arise very quickly. Within a couple of months, a child can develop cavities due to tooth decay after eating too many sweets. Eating junk food and not brushing teeth thoroughly enough can lead to a myriad of issues that will only worsen over time.

This is further exacerbated by the fact that baby teeth are much more susceptible to oral health issues than adult teeth. As teeth are constantly growing and changing during the first 15 years of a child’s life, it is even more important to stay on top of their oral health routines.

Do Kids Need X-Rays with Every Visit?

Kids might not always need x-rays, but they do if there is any sign of dental damage or an area of concern that should be monitored further. During your child’s dental visit, the dentist will administer pediatric x-rays, which contain a lesser dose of radiation that can take pictures of the teeth and jaws. X-rays are safe enough to use on newborns and infants, so you can speak with your dentist about further concerns regarding the number of x-rays your child should receive per year.

Why Preventative Dentistry is Important

A lot of parents don’t find it necessary to take their child to the dentist every 6 months. Especially if their child is in good general health. Maybe their x-rays are good and tooth exams come out without a scratch. Still, it remains a good idea to invest in preventative dentistry. Doing so keeps germs and bacteria at bay. Teach your child to establish a daily oral hygiene routine that consists of brushing, flossing, and mouthwash.

Find Your Favorite Family Dentist at Smiles of Arcadia Today!

Looking for a family-friendly dentist near Pasadena who can help you figure out the best oral healthcare routine for your child? Get in touch with our staff members today to set up a personal consultation for you and your family. It’s never too early to invest in good dental health, especially when your child’s teeth are still developing. Stay on top of those changes and prevent any future oral health problems by getting in touch with your professional dentist ASAP.


How to Choose a Family Dentist

Research has shown the important link between your dental health and overall health. One of the main factors in keeping up with your oral health is visiting the dentist regularly and keeping up with your daily oral care routine. Because life can get busy you may put off the dentist or take a little extra time between visits. However, it’s important to keep your family healthy so it’s helpful to find a family dentist you can all visit together. Below you will find helpful tips on how to choose a family dentist.

How to Choose a Family Dentist

Consider the following factors when you look for a family dentist to be sure they are the right fit.

Insurance:

One of the more administrative factors when it comes to choosing a dentist is whether or not they are in your insurance network or not. Because dental services can be costly, it’s helpful to find a dentist covered by your insurance. Once you know who is within your network it’s a lot easier to find the right dentist for your family.

Reputation:

Search your potential family dentist’s name online. You should find a number of reviews and information on how they treat their patients. Finding a dentist with the right credentials who creates a healthy and comforting environment is important. Many people experience fear and anxiety when it comes to the dentist so it’s important to find a family-friendly dentist office that can make your whole family feel welcome.

Credentials and Experience:

Finding a dentist that has all of the necessary credentials is important in keeping your family safe. Making sure that your family dentist can provide you with all of the necessary services for your family is important. Research their credentials and areas of expertise just to be sure. You should also find out how long they have been practicing as experience is an important factor when it comes to dentistry.

Services Provided:

Finding a family dentist that provides a wide variety of services can be a major benefit as you won’t have to go to other specialists for certain treatments or procedures. Most family dentistry offices have a number of dentists that can provide varying specialties. Some of the most common services include the following: children’s dentistry, family dentistry, cavity treatment, Invisalign or traditional braces, preventative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, wisdom tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, and root canal treatment. Finding a family dentist that provides the majority of these services can be a major benefit to you and your family.

Office Environment:

Use your gut and get a feel of the dental office environment. Was the staff friendly, and did they make you feel welcome? Were you and your children comfortable the whole time? Was everything clean? You can usually get a good idea of the office culture and environment within the first visit. If you or your children get a bad feeling or don’t feel that the family dentist is the right fit for you and your family, keep looking.

Family Dentistry in Arcadia

If you are looking for a family dentist in Arcadia, contact Premier Dental Esthetics. Their team has been working with families providing dental services for years. They are the top location for family dentistry in Arcadia. In addition to family dentistry services, they also provide cosmetic dentistry. For those in your family who are considering improving their smile, the dentists at Premier Dental Esthetics are skilled in teeth whitening, orthodontics, and dental veneers. Contact the top cosmetic dentist in Arcadia today and set up appointments for your whole family!


Family Dentist VS. General Dentist

All dentists are extensively trained, but some of them choose to specialize in certain aspects of oral health. Knowing the difference between different kinds of medical professionals within the field of dentistry can make it much easier to ensure you’re reaching out to the right expert for your family. We could certainly describe all of these subfields at length. So what is the difference of a family dentist vs. a general dentist.

Family Dentist VS. General Dentist

We have chosen to start with a basic distinction that will help you to choose whether a family dentist or a general dentist is the right primary care provider for your household.

What Is a Family Dentist?

Family dentists specialize in taking care of entire family units from the youngest member to the oldest member. For an adult, this may not make much of a difference. But a family dentist can be incredibly beneficial for young children. A general dentist’s first and only priority is providing necessary health care. A family dentist more likely focuses on the educational aspects of oral health as well as necessary health care. This focus on education can help to teach children of all ages. They can gain the skills they need to care for their teeth in between dental visits.

In addition to teaching your children about oral health, a family dentist in Arcadia is more likely to make young and fearful children more comfortable. It isn’t that a general dentist is necessarily bad at providing that sense of security, but a family dentist usually has more practice dealing with those issues. It’s a regular part of their professional life, so most family dentists have established approaches that work with children. By providing this type of support, your dentist is increasing the likelihood that your child will not avoid dental treatment as an adult.

What Is a General Dentist?

General dentists are also highly trained professionals, but they may not be prepared to deal with young children or the elderly. Some general dentists will actually refuse to treat children simply because they aren’t the best suited for the job. You may certainly choose to stay with your general dentist after having children. But you will likely find yourself using more than one dentist to ensure that all of your family’s needs are met. This can be time-consuming and frustrating if you’re going to two different dentists every six months.

Still, general dentists are an excellent choice for adults. Especially if you want a no frills, clinical approach to dentistry. Are you well aware of proper oral hygiene habits? Then a general dentist with do a great job keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Of course, you may be lucky and find a general dentist who works with children! It is just hard to tell unless you already have a well-established relationship.

Choosing the Right Dentist for Your Household

Only you can choose the right dentist for your household, but if you’re looking for family dentistry in Arcadia, then you should keep four considerations in mind.

  • Services: Make sure that your family dentist offers all services you may need.
  • Location: Your family dentist should be a relatively easy distance away for convenience.
  • History: Look for a well-established practice with satisfied patients.
  • Temperament: Try to choose a dentist who works well with all of the members of your family.

Ultimately, you want to find a dental office that makes you and the rest of your household feel comfortable and cared for. This relationship will only build over time. As it does, it gives your family the support it needs to raise healthy and happy children. Even more important, they will understand the importance of oral health.


How to Help Your Child Overcome Dental Fear

A lot of kids are afraid of going to the dentist. Even most adults feel uncomfortable when sitting back in the dental chair. But it is important for both you and your kids to know that keeping up with good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent sickness and disease.

How to Help Your Child Overcome Dental Fear

Annual checkups are important, especially because it is the best time to clean teeth and check for cavities. If your child is afraid of visiting the dentist in Arcadia for their next appointment, here are some tips to show you how to help your child overcome dental fear.

Make an Early Introduction

The earlier you can introduce your child to the dentist, the easier it will be for them to get accustomed to the space. Meeting the dentist before the day of the appointment can also greatly help your child feel less scared on the actual day of the dental treatment. Be sure to check in with your child to see how they feel in advance of the appointment date.

Accompany Your Child

Your little one may feel too scared to be alone with the dentist. Children below the age of 6 can lay on your lap in the dental chair so you can be right there with them throughout the entire process. If your child is older, you can still remain in the room and hold their hand or their arm while the dentist goes to work.

Set Realistic Expectations

Your child needs to know what to expect before going to the dentist. Don’t lie to them and say that nothing will hurt, but don’t fill their head with horror stories either. You can be a good role model to your children by explaining the benefits of dental visits and associate the dentist with a positive experience.

For the most part, the checkup and cleaning shouldn’t hurt at all, but your child will still have to expect the different tools and devices used during the appointment.

Add a Distraction

Distractions are always a good thing. Most dental offices will have TVs available in each room where your child can control the channel during their stay. This can help get their mind off of the procedure. Other distractions, such as talking and music, can also help to keep your child happy and less afraid.

Try to Take it Slow

Your local family dentistry in Arcadia understands that many children feel hesitant about going to the dentist. Encourage the dentist to go slowly with your kids who are prone to choking and panicking. There are tools more appropriately sized for kids that can help them get used to the dentist without getting hurt. Our experts are always attentive, gentle, and understanding of each child’s unique feelings.

Add Positive Reinforcement

If your child is still having trouble calming down at the thought of visiting the dentist, you can add an incentive to turn it into a positive experience. Promise to treat them to their favorite dessert or take them to the park when things are done. Soon, they will be begging to visit the dentist again!

Visit the Best Family Dentist in Arcadia

At Smiles of Arcadia, we care about the quality of your smile. We understand that visiting the dentist can be an intimidating or downright scary experience, and we are here to help you and your kids feel at home as we tend to your dental health. Consider what is best for your oral hygiene and schedule a dental appointment for the whole family. Call us now for a personal consultation!