Pediatric Dentistry: Tips and Facts

by Oliver Family Dental Dentist

The fear of dentists begins early on in life. To prepare your child for a lifetime of fear-free dental visits, beginning with finding a kid-friendly dentist. Good oral health is important at all stages of life, but have you really considered the impact of your child's dental visits? Poor first encounters can lead children to develop dental anxiety. This anxiety can be carried all the way into adulthood. Majority of dentists are trained to treat young patients, but many lack proper skills to build a sense of comfort and bond with your children.

Many adults do not seek necessary oral care due to dental anxiety. Our Edmonton dentists want your child to have positive experiences so they form life-long healthy habits and oral health.

Tips for a Good Appointment with a Kids Dentist

Preparing your child for a dental visit can help them to develop understanding and ease, as they will be able to expect what will happen each visit. The first step is to borrow some library books that discuss good oral health and dentist visits. Attempt to find material that may feature familiar cartoon characters or your child’s favorite animals. Programs such as PBS, have episodes surrounding your child’s favorite cartoon character taking a trip to the dentist. Educational kid’s shows can help your child to visualize what the actual experience will be like.

Our kid-friendly dental staff in Edmonton welcomes and encourages parents to tour the treatment facility prior to scheduled appointments. The comfort of children is highest in a familiar environment which is why the first dental experience is so crucial. Proactive parents who check out the dental clinic prior to appointments have the opportunity to meet the dental team, so their children are not with strangers. This helps your children familiarize with the staff and feel more at ease when they return. The dental staff can show children what the exam room look likes, where the toys and books are stored and where the bathroom is located.

The Importance of Preventative Dental Care

Follow up with your child post appointment and address any questions and concerns if brought to your attention. Also, feel free to encourage your child to role play using dolls and stuffed animals to mock the dental exam process. The incorporation of role playing with your child allows for them to become more comfortable with the idea of visiting the dentist as you are able to introduce them to terms, ideas, and what to expect when they visit the dentist for the first time.

Maintaining Good Oral Health

As a pediatric dentist in Edmonton, we take kid-friendly dentistry seriously. It is our goal to ensure that the children that visit our dental clinic are as comfortable as possible. Not only does every child deserves to have access to proper dental care for years to come, but they should also know of the many benefits good oral hygiene and health can provide them. Our skilled Edmonton dentists suggest biannual teeth cleaning, health exams and professional fluoride treatments for cavity protection.

Our Edmonton dentists also offer dental sealants which create a barrier on back chewing teeth. Sealants prevent leftover food debris, plaque, and bacteria from building and reaching deep crevices that lead to cavities.

Kid-friendly dentists in Edmonton are here to provide quality service for your child’s oral health and individual needs in a friendly environment.