Children’s dental care is quite different from adult dental care, with the variables including age, cognitive development and personality type. At Odin Dental, we take the privilege of caring for your children’s teeth very seriously.
It’s important to teach them about the importance of taking care of their teeth with good hygiene and preventative care as well as provide a good experience so that they’ll enjoy future visits to your local kid’s dentist.
Many parents are confused about what and how much dental care their child needs. Preventing cavities is usually at the top of their list, but it’s not always clear how best to go about this.
We’ll provide you as much information as possible so that you can make an informed decision when choosing a kid-friendly dentist.
Here are some quick facts about your child’s teeth:
• Children’s teeth begin forming before birth.
• The first baby teeth start to appear when they are around 6 months old.
• By the age of 2-3, they’ll have all 20 of their primary teeth.
Choosing a Child-Friendly Practice
If the environment is not familiar to kids, they’ll feel a little anxious. They expect to see toys and books that they’re used to seeing at home. That’s why we have an area with kid friendly activities to make them feel a little more at ease.
You can bring your pram into the practice, and not have to worry about it not fitting through the door or leaving it in your car.
Our staff at Odin Dental have received training to be able to examine and treat most issues with children’s teeth. (Note, for major issues or complications, we will refer you to a paediatric dental specialist.)
Avoiding Dental Fear in Children
What to Do Before Their First Appointment
The last thing you want to happen is that your child is scared of going to the dentist. That can only lead to poor dental health in years to come. We strive to make all of their visits a fun and enjoyable experience. That way, they look forward to coming to the dentist and keep their teeth in the best possible shape.
One way of introducing them to the dentist at a young age is by taking them with you to your own dental appointments and let them see mummy or daddy get their teeth checked. When they see you have a pleasant experience, they’ll anticipate the same and helps to prevent any future anxiety relating to a visit to the dentist.
The big day is here! To make this an exciting experience for your child, here are some tips:
- Arrive early so that your child can get introduced to our staff and the environment
- Have them sit in the play area.
- For toddlers, during the exam, it may be a good idea to hold them in your lap.
- For older kids, stay in the same room so that they are comfortable knowing you are close by.
- The first exam is pretty basic – counting the teeth and making sure all teeth are in good condition. The main goal is to introduce dentistry to your child and develop trust and confidence.
- Praise you child for completing the exam and thank the doctor. Kids take a lot of cues from their parents – they copy what you do – good and bad!