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How to Prepare for Your Child’s First Dental Appointment

Pediatric Dentistry, ,

Pediatric dental care is an essential part of your child’s health care routine. However, it is notoriously hard to keep a child calm at a dental office. In this article, we discuss how to prepare for your child’s first dental appointment so that it is successful and productive.

How to Prepare for Your Child’s First Dental Appointment

Visiting a dentist with a child might be challenging. Children can be naturally worried or anxious about new people, especially when it comes to invasive procedures. Thus, it is important you prepare your child for their dental appointment. This way, you can help your child feel calmer and less scared and have a more productive and quick visit overall.

Another reason to prepare your child for their dental appointment ahead of time is to help them feel safe and secure during the procedure. The lack of negative emotions during their first dental visit will help them develop a positive attitude towards visiting a dentist and form good dental habits for life. Children who have a very negative first dental visit experience might form dental anxiety that will turn all future visits into an ordeal.

To make sure that the child is prepared for their first dental visit, you can explore several tactics:

Explain to Your Child What the Visit Is for

Use simple child-friendly words to explain to your child the purpose of the visit and what the doctor is going to do. We all fear the unknown, and having some information and understanding of the procedure in advance can help your child feel more prepared and calmer.

Play Games

Try using toys to role-play a dental visit. You can switch roles with your child and have them pretend to be both a patient and a doctor. This way, you can help your child familiarize themselves with the procedure and make them feel more optimistic about it.

Read Educational Books with Your Child

There are many picture books about dental visits available on the market. Pick a couple that look nice and friendly and read them with your child before the appointment. Seeing sweet and relatable characters going through the same experience will help your child feel more assured.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Avoid scolding your child for not wanting to go to the dentist or being capricious. Also, never threaten your child with a dental visit in case they refuse to brush their teeth or eat too many sweets. Such tactics will only make your child more anxious.

Instead, show your child that you have a positive attitude towards dental visits, tell them about the help dentists provide, or share stories about your good experiences. You can also praise your child for being brave and going to the dentist.

Promise Your Child a Reward

Schedule something fun to do with your child after you visit the dental office, or promise them a reward. This way, your child will have something to look forward to, which will motivate them to go through the appointment and not feel like they are being tortured without a reason.

Take Your Child’s Favorite Toy to the Office

Contact your dental office in advance and ask if you can bring a toy to the office. Typically, your dentist will allow it or have some toys in the office to help calm the child. Having their favorite plush friend near might significantly calm your child’s anxiety.

Stay Calm

Children tend to reflect the feelings and behavior of their parents, so it is essential that you stay calm, composed, and positive. Feeling your assurance, the child will feel safer, too, and thus less anxious about the visit.

Choose the Right Pediatric Dentist

Choosing a reliable and friendly pediatric dentist is vital when it comes to having a successful dental appointment with your child. Pediatric dentists are specialists specially trained to work with kids and know what language, gestures, and techniques to use to have a child feel safe and stay optimistic. Going to a dentist who knows how to work with kids will also ensure that the visit is productive and efficient and all the required procedures are done so you do not have to pay for a second appointment to finish the job.

Make an Appointment Today

Do not hesitate to call our pediatric dental office in Los Angeles today and make an appointment with a friendly family dentist. Our specialists strive to provide a stress-free environment for patients of all ages. We are looking forward to welcoming you and your family to Samaritan Dental.

The image shows a pediatric dentist treating a young patient. The image serves to shows the benefits of pediatric dentistry and visually represents what ages pediatric dentists treat.

What Ages Does a Pediatric Dentist Treat?

Pediatric Dentistry,

Children require a lot of care, and regular medical checkups are part of that. Seeing a pediatric dental specialist on a regular basis is also part of a good healthcare routine for a child. But what ages does a pediatric dentist treat? In this article, we will answer this question and discuss the importance of dental health care for children. 

What Ages Does a Pediatric Dentist Treat?

Pediatric dentists treat children from the time the first baby tooth appears until around the age of 18. Children and teenagers benefit more from seeing a pediatric dentist than a general dentist. Pediatric dentists have the specialized knowledge and training needed to treat a growing mouth. 

In addition, a good pediatric dentist knows how to make a child or teenager less anxious about their dental visits and how to educate them on oral hygiene in kid-friendly terms. A friendly environment that a pediatric dentist can provide will ensure a positive experience for the child and will lead to better oral health habits in the future.

Why Do You Need to Take Care of Baby Teeth?

You should not underestimate the importance of healthy baby teeth. The fact that baby teeth will eventually fall out does not mean that their health can be neglected. There are several reasons for taking care of baby teeth:

Tooth Decay or Tooth Loss Can Cause Malnutrition

Toothache in a baby tooth or tooth loss might prevent children from eating some foods that require a lot of chewing or biting. Such foods might include fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat, etc., and are crucial for the proper growth and development of a child. 

Dental Health Problems Lead to Chronic Pain and Stress

Constant stress that a child experiences from tooth or gum ache can affect their mood and ability to concentrate, learn, and make friends.

Tooth Decay or Tooth Loss Can Cause Speech Impediments

A whole set of healthy baby teeth free of pain plays a crucial role in a child’s proper speech development.

Tooth Decay Can Lead to Gum Disease

If cavities are untreated for a long time, the decay and bacteria can spread to the other teeth in the mouth and to the gum tissue. Gum disease that starts in early childhood can cause problems with permanent teeth in the future. Additionally, gum disease can cause serious issues with the development of the jawbone and lead to bone density loss.

Baby Tooth Decay Has Negative Impact on General Health

Tooth decay means that bacteria and infections are constantly present in a child’s mouth. Oral infections can lead to problems with the heart, lungs, bones, and gastrointestinal system of the child. Studies show that tooth decay can even negatively impact a child’s cognitive function.

Precocious Baby Tooth Loss Can Lead to Orthodontic Issues

Untreated cavities in baby teeth lead to precocious tooth loss, which negatively impacts jawbone development and the growth of permanent teeth in the future. Precocious baby tooth loss can also cause overcrowdedness, improper bite, and other orthodontic issues that will require more expensive and time-consuming treatment.

Even if your child already has all their permanent teeth, oral health care remains just as important.

At What Age Should You Start Bringing Your Child to a Dentist?

Dentists recommend having the first dental visit with your child by 12 months of age or no later than six months from the appearance of the first tooth. During this visit, a pediatric dentist will examine your child’s teeth, gums, jaw, and bite. The exam is needed to ensure that growth and development progress as they should. Early visits can also help predict any potential orthodontic issues and plan the treatment accordingly. 

Depending on your child’s oral health, your dentist might recommend a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth to prevent bacterial growth in your kid’s mouth. However, this procedure is typically done when more teeth erupt, between 12 and 36 months of age. 

In some cases, a child might not get their first teeth in their first year of life. Based on the data provided by AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry), on average, children have their first dental visit at 2,5 years of age. If your child does not have teeth by the age of 12 months, you can postpone the visit until the time teeth do appear. 

Make an Appointment Today

Samaritan Dental offers a dentist for the whole family, who will make both you and your child comfortable during the visit. If your child needs a routine exam or you suspect any dental issues, do not hesitate to make an appointment with one of our specialists today. We look forward to welcoming you and your children to our dental office!

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Dental Anxiety Tips for Kids

Pediatric Dentistry,

It is common for children to fear visits to a dental office. There can be different reasons for the fear. Some children might have had an unpleasant experience before, or just the idea of undergoing any kind of medical procedure or intrusion might seem scary. In any case, these fears tend to make dental visits very challenging. Below, we cover dental anxiety tips for kids.

Dental Anxiety Tips for Kids

In this article, we go through the nature of these fears and give dental anxiety tips for kids to ensure that their visits to a dentist are productive.

The Nature of Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is a fear of visiting the dentist’s office. Some children might have fears associated with a specific procedure. For example, the sound of a dental drill can bring about the fear of strong pain. For other children, the idea of a needle being inserted into a part of their body seems terrifying. Many children are scared of the mere idea of going to a doctor.

The truth is that these fears are connected to the natural survival instinct in a child and are not something out of the ordinary. Subconsciously, children try to avoid any intrusion from outside.

Unfortunately, when the child is anxious and upset, it makes the procedure, or even a simple check-up, hard for both the child and the doctor. On top of that, if the child doesn’t learn how to cope with their dentist-related anxiety now, it might only increase with time.

Also, avoiding going to the dentist can lead to oral health issues that might need more expensive treatments later on. In addition, the repeated avoidance of dental treatments will only strengthen the anxiety.

Why Children Are Afraid of Dentists

There are several reasons why fear of dentists might be the case:

  • A learned fear from relatives, who are also anxious about dental visits and mentioned it around the child
  • Seeing other children being afraid of dentists on TV or among their peers
  • A memory of previous painful visits
  • The unfamiliar and often unpleasant smell of a medical office
  • Insufficient preparation by parents for the first dental visit

Dos and Don’ts in Cases of Dental Anxiety

Do not reprimand the child.

As we mentioned before, the fear of any intrusion into the body has its roots in the natural and absolutely normal survival instincts of a child. Unfortunately, children do not tend to have the reasoning adults have yet. They are just afraid of pain or harm that might be done to them, so they try to protect themselves by crying and screaming.

Thus, it is very important for parents to understand that these fears seem reasonable and justified for the child and to try to avoid scolding the child for them. Reprimanding the child will increase the level of anxiety even more.

Try to Calm the Child Down

A calm, natural, and assured demeanor of a parent will likely make the child feel calmer and secure, too. Try not to act anxiously or in an irritated manner yourself. Then, the child will feel that there is not that much to worry about after all.

Prepare the Child for the Visit

There are different ways to go about preparing your child for the visit. You can try telling or reading a child stories about dental visits that are meant to alleviate the stress. Make it sound like a fun adventure rather than a trial.

There are also some special toys and games available. You can play out a dental visit at home, preparing the child for what might occur during the procedure. You can even have a child pretend to be a dentist themselves.

Educate your child in easy-to-understand terms. Tell them in a positive manner why the visit is important and how it is good for them. Tell them about what they can expect at the dental office. If a child asks you a question, answer honestly. You might also carefully prepare the child for some unpleasant but not harmful sensations that might occur so that they are not surprised by them and do not break into tears at the appointment. You can also find images related to positive dental visits and show them to the child.

Do Not Enforce Oral Hygiene by Making a Child Scared of Dentists

Parents want to make sure that their child brushes their teeth properly. Sometimes, parents warn the child of a dental procedure that will happen if they do not maintain good oral hygiene. This will only terrify the child of anything related to dentistry. Try to use positive reinforcement instead, not portray dental procedures as a punishment for not brushing their teeth well. There are toothbrushes and other tools developed specifically to make children interested in keeping their mouth clean.

Bring a Toy Along to the Appointment

Having a favorite toy with them can reassure the child and make them feel more secure and calm.

Come up With a Reward for Going to the Dentist

It might be a good idea to tell your child that you are going to do something they like together after the appointment. It will help give the child motivation to endure the procedure.

Find the Right Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentistry is a special branch of medical training. An experienced pediatric dentist knows how to work with kids and how to create a positive and calming environment. Pediatric dentists have special training related to a child’s dental care. This will ensure a more productive visit and a positive experience for your child.

Make an appointment with one of our experienced pediatric DTLA dentists at Samaritan Dental for a check-up or treatment for your child.

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Most Common Dental Problems for Kids

Pediatric Dentistry, ,

Your children should start going to the dentist at a very young age. Some parents might even want to start introducing their children to the dentist before their full set of teeth come in. Not only is it extremely helpful for your child to become comfortable around dentists at an early age, but it can also help our pediatric dental experts detect and treat the most common dental problems for kids.

Most Common Dental Problems for Kids

Take a look at the following guide and follow the recommendations of our DTLA dentist for all ages so you can ensure your child is receiving the best dental health care from the start. This will give them the strength and protection needed to lead a life of health as they continue to grow.

Emergency Dental Injuries

Kids like to be active, and that can be putting it mildly. If your child loves to roughhouse with their siblings or if they are perhaps engaged in a physical contact sport, then they are prone to dental emergencies. This can happen when your kid falls and hits their tooth, causing a crack or a break. In extreme situations, teeth can even be knocked out of your child’s mouth. Whatever the situation, it is important to get in touch with your child’s emergency dentist right away.

Emergency dentists can help repair an injured tooth, stop the spread of infection, and relieve pain by providing applicable treatment. In some cases, your dentist may even be able to put the tooth back in its socket and give your child’s mouth a second lease on life.

Cavities

Tooth decay, more commonly known as cavities, is probably the most well-known dental issues that can occur in children. What a lot of people don’t realize is that cavities are prevalent in adults as well. From a very young age, kids who indulge in sugary treats and sodas may be more prone to developing an infection. Sugar leaves behind harmful bacteria that can grow and spread along the teeth.

Eventually, this bacteria digs through the surface of the tooth and creates a pocket of infection. If left untreated, this infection can spread to the bloodstream and cause some serious health issues. Your dentist will treat a cavity and stop the spread of decay by applying a dental filling, clearing out the hole of infection, and filling it with a composite material that looks and feels like real teeth.

Dental Anxiety

It is more than normal for your child to fear going to the dentist. No matter how early you introduce them to their friendly dental experts, there might still be some anxiety leading up to your kid’s dental appointment. You can help them navigate these phobias by educating them about the procedures they will experience once they are in the dentist’s office. There are also a number of ways to make their visit more tolerable.

Pediatric dentists are experts at offering children incentives, prizes, rewards, and general good feelings after their trip to the dentist. You can prepare your child for this exciting journey by telling them all about the important benefits of having clean teeth. By making it a part of their normal life, they will come to fear it less.

Schedule Your Child’s Dental Appointment Today

Your child might have a lot of questions about the dentist that need answering before they visit our office. When you and your loved one are ready, you can schedule a top-rated DTLA pediatric dentistry appointment by signing up with our friendly experts online or in-person at our office. We offer a variety of pediatric dental care services that are jam-packed with rewards and treats to make your child feel as welcome as possible. Call us now and see everything we have to offer!

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Tips for Taking Your Kid to the Dentist

Pediatric Dentistry, , ,

You are a new parent and you want to do the right thing for your child. It is important to schedule regular checkups and appointments. How about your child’s oral health? When is the best time to schedule your child’s first visit to the dentist? How can you prepare your child for a positive experience at the dentist? Here we have some tips for taking your kid to the dentist.

Tips for Taking Your Kid to the Dentist

Before you take your child to see the dentist, it’s important that you have all of these questions answered. You should be able to help your child feel at ease once that time arrives. Here are some top tips for taking your kid to the dentist, courtesy of your board-certified dentist in downtown LA.

Know What to Expect

Your child’s dentist will probably perform a brief and gentle exam during this first appointment. This will take between 30-45 minutes and depends on the condition of your child’s mouth. Your little one might also need to have X-rays taken and their teeth cleaned, depending on the situation. As they grow older, the dentist will teach your child proper flossing and brushing.

Help Your Child Learn the Value of Oral Health

Sometimes, it takes an expert to convince a child to take good care of their teeth. A healthy smile will make you a better person in the long term. Our dentists can provide treatment and care depending on the needs of your child. It helps to visualize the problems and pains your child would experience if they had to deal with dental issues.

Teach At-Home Oral Care Options

You will want to encourage your child to practice good oral hygiene habits before and after their first appointment with the dentist. To prevent plaque and other harmful bacteria from building up on your teeth, you should brush and floss daily.

These are just a few other tips that you can use to help your children feel more encouraged to practice daily dental hygiene:

  • Use a soft toothbrush to start. Start with a soft toothbrush and then gradually increase the number of bristles that you use to brush your child’s teeth.
  • Bottle tooth decay is a serious problem. Baby bottle tooth decay is common in babies who drink too much.
  • To clean their gums, use a damp cloth. Even though your child has all their teeth, their oral health is still important. Make sure you give them a gentle clean every day.
  • Teach your child how to brush their teeth. As they get older, teach your child how to brush their teeth properly. By age 7, they should be able to brush their teeth independently.
  • Limit sugary foods before the age of 8. Sugar can lead to tooth decay in children younger than 8, especially if they are still learning how and when.

It is crucial to begin monitoring your child’s oral health early. You should be alert for signs that your child may have oral problems as they grow.

Throw an After-Visit Party

Your child should visit the dentist approximately every six months for a checkup and cleaning. You can make going to the dentist a pleasant and enjoyable experience, even though everyone hates it. Instead of making the dentist’s chair intimidating and scary, teach your child about the many ways dentists can help you keep your teeth healthy. You can reward your child’s visit with something extra. You can take your child to a theme park or let them play hooky at school. Or throw a party at your home to celebrate good oral health!

Invest in your Child’s Future Now!

Even though they might not like to go to the dentist, it’s important that your child visits at least twice a year to get a deep clean and to look out for any oral health issues. There are many ways to help your child feel comfortable and calm when visiting the dentist. They are sure to enjoy our state-of-the-art office of pediatric dentistry in Downtown Los Angeles, where your young one can receive care from one of the best dental experts in the area. Get in touch with Samaritan Dental Arts today to learn more!