Walnut Creek dentist shares how to pick a dentist for your child
Walnut Creek dentist shares how to pick a dentist for your child
Basic Dental Care - Overview
What is basic dental care?
Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, which means foods high in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.
Why is basic dental care important?
Practicing basic dental care:
Prevents tooth decay.
Prevents gum (periodontal) disease, which can damage gum tissue and the bones that support teeth, and in the long term can lead to the loss of teeth.
Shortens time with the dentist and dental hygienist, and makes the trip more pleasant.
Saves money. By preventing tooth decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings and other costly procedures.
Helps prevent bad breath. Brushing and flossing rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
Helps keep teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.
Improves overall health.
Makes it possible for your teeth to last a lifetime.
Are there ways to avoid dental problems?
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires good nutrition and regular brushing and flossing:
Brush your teeth twice a day-in the morning and before bed-and floss once a day. This removes plaque, which can lead to damaged teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.
Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that fight plaque. Look for toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association.
Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow.
Avoid using tobacco products, which can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) also may cause gum disease as well as other health problems.1
Practice tongue cleaning. You can use a tongue cleaner or a soft-bristle toothbrush, stroking in a back-to-front direction. Tongue cleaning is particularly important for people who smoke or whose tongues are coated or deeply grooved.
Schedule regular trips to the dentist based on how often you need exams and cleaning.
When should my child start seeing a dentist?
By the time your child is 6 months of age, your doctor should assess the likelihood of your child having future dental problems. If he or she thinks your child will have dental problems, be sure your child sees a dentist before his or her first birthday or 6 months after the first primary teeth appear , whichever comes first. After your first visit, schedule regular visits every 6 months or as your dentist recommends. Experts recommend that your child's dental care start at 12 months of age. If your baby has dental problems caused by injury, disease, or a developmental problem, see your pediatric dentist right away.
A visit to the dentist can be a scary thing for children. The odors, the tools, the sounds, and the big person with the mask can all upset a child. When choosing a dentist for your child and preparing him or her for a visit, think about the following to make the visit as pleasant as possible.
Choosing a dentist:
Pediatric dentists specialize in the care of infants', children's, and teenagers' teeth. They have 2 to 3 years more training to meet the special needs of these age groups. They have special training in making children feel at ease and may have offices designed for children. Whether or not you use a pediatric dentist for your child, asking the following questions can help you pick the right dentist.
What experience does the dentist have with children?
Is the office set up for children? For example, does it have children's drawings on the wall, magazines for children in the waiting room, and smaller furniture? You might want to visit the office to see how it looks.
Does the dentist dress the part? Will he or she wear something that puts the child more at ease? For example, if the dentist wears a face mask with children's illustrations rather than a white face mask, it may help the child relax.
Does the dentist provide special programs for children? Membership in the "Cavity Club" or "Tooth Tots" can make a visit seem more fun.
If the dentist has audio headphones, does he or she have children's material?
Does the dentist allow you to be present during treatment? This may be important with young children, but older children and teens may prefer to be on their own.
The dentist's "chairside manner" is also important:
How does the dentist put the child at ease? Techniques that some dentists use include "Tell-Show-Do," in which the dentist shows and names a dental instrument, shows how it works and tells what it does, and then uses it with the child. Some dentists will pair children of a similar age. They will work with a shy or scared child and a child who is used to the dentist at the same time.
How does the dentist start the exam? Many dentists will start with something easy, such as "let's count your teeth" or making it a guessing game. Your dentist could also ask your child to draw a picture of his or her mouth, or a "rotten" tooth to begin the visit. This helps put your child at ease.
Does the dentist praise the child? Saying something good or providing a reward when the child does something "right" helps make a visit to the dentist more positive.
How does the dentist deal with problems? Children sometimes misbehave during a visit. The dentist may need to take action to prevent injury. In this situation, the first thing to do is to speak calmly and firmly to the child. If this does not stop the child, or if the child needs to be physically held back, you should know in advance and perhaps help. If you feel your child may act up, talk to your dentist in advance about how to deal with the situation.
Preparing your child for a visit:
When your child is old enough to understand a visit to the dentist and have worries or fears, it may be helpful to prepare him or her to limit or overcome any anxiety. This first visit can set the tone for all future visits. Here are some things you can do:
Talk to your child about the visit. Explain what will happen, but make it simple. Tell your child that the dentist will "count" and "take pictures" of his or her teeth.
Don't communicate any fear you have to your child. Don't talk about how the dentist scares you or how bad your last visit was. Don't use words like "shots," "drills," or "needles."
Talk to your dentist about any worries your child may have. Work together to help limit them. For example, if you know your child does not like "scary tools," the dentist may be able to keep them out of sight.
Look for books that explain what it is like to go to the dentist. They usually contain pictures to help explain what happens. They also let your child see what the inside of a dental office looks like.
Ask your child to draw a picture of his or her mouth or teeth to take to the dentist. Your child can then talk about this to begin the visit.
Don't bribe your child into going to the dentist or use a dental visit as a punishment.
P.S.: Was this article helpful or beneficial to you? Let us know by emailing us! Also, if you have someone you care about and you think this would be beneficial to them, "pass it on"! By the way, make sure you don't miss out on the FREE dentist buyer's guide you're now entitled to! How to Take Care of your Teeth with Teeth Whitening Kits Why Are People Choosing Invisalign For Teeth Alignment? Top Treatment Methods in Cosmetic Dentistry How Do Invisible Braces Compare With Traditional Teeth Alignment Solutions? Understanding How An Invisalign Dentist Could Help You Smile Better Why is it important to go to the dentist A Visit To Your Glastonbury Dentist - Learn What To Look Forward To Whitening Yellow Teeth in 7 Days How long does teeth whitening bleach last? Laser Teeth Whitening Methods--Are These Effective for You? Getting Wisdom Teeth or Not Dental Holiday in Thailand : The Ultimate Guide to perfect smile on a budget What about dental care?