Ideally, your child should have their first dental appointment by age one. As a parent, you may not know everything about caring for your child’s teeth and gums, and that’s completely okay. Parenting is often about learning new things, and if you have scheduled the first visit to a pediatric dentist in Western Springs, here’s what to expect.
- A positive environment: Pediatric dentists must undergo additional years of training after completing dental school. They understand child psychology and clinics that offer pediatric dental care often have child-friendly environments. Expect the practice to have games, toys, and even educational tools to keep young patients busy before the visit.
- Take someone along: You may want to have your spouse or partner come with your child for the first visit. When one person cannot handle the stress, the other one can help. You will also have company, especially if you are concerned about the process.
- Don’t take other kids along: It is in your best interest that you take one child to the dentist at a time. Even if you have other kids, don’t take them along, as they can distract the one scheduled for an oral exam.
- Focus on positive words: If your child is going to the dentist after the age of three, you must use the right language to explain essential details. Don’t scare the little patient by using words like needles and injections. Explain why dental care matters and why the dentist could be their best friend.
- Explain what’s likely to happen: When your child is capable of understanding words, you must explain the visit to them in advance. Preparing them for the checkup will help address the fear and anxiety that’s usually associated with dentists.
- Go with questions: Even if your questions sound stupid, you must ask the dentist for explanations. Discuss every aspect concerning your child’s teeth and gums, such as diet habits and oral hygiene practices. Your dentist will be happy to offer answers.
- Insist on demonstrations: Your dentist will usually demonstrate proper brushing and flossing habits to your child, and if they don’t, you should insist on that. Don’t hesitate to ask the simpler things, such as how the toothbrush should be used or how often the kid should floss.
- Discussions on treatments: If your child has cavities or other issues, your dentist will explain the treatments required. Remain open to suggestions and options. Parents often ignore cavities, assuming baby teeth will fall off, but without dental care, there could be complications.
- Further care & checkups: The dentist will usually share a schedule for further appointments. Just because your child doesn’t have any significant concerns doesn’t mean they don’t need these oral exams. Adhere to the instructions, and if you want any adjustments, let the staff know.
Other points to note
Besides proper oral hygiene and dental checkups, you must also monitor your child’s eating and lifestyle habits. Please discuss with the dentist what foods your child needs to avoid to keep their teeth healthy. Also, become a role model for your child when it comes to brushing and flossing. In fact, making mornings about practicing oral hygiene together. Many parents make the mistake of scaring kids about having to visit the dentist if they don’t brush, and that kind of fear-mongering never helps.
Final word
If you are looking for a pediatric dental clinic in Western Springs, the best way to search is to check online or ask for recommendations from other parents. You will also find reviews of dentists on Google, which will help compare and sort between choices. The first visit will tell you if a dentist is worth returning for future checkups.
