As a parent, you know it’s your responsibility to help kids take care of themselves. They’re just too young to do it themselves all the time. But it can be hard for kids to take care of things if they really do not like going to the dentist.
That’s why you need to call our Winnipeg, MB dental office today at 204-977-8515 and make a family dentistry appointment. Our dental team knows how to work well with kids, and our dentists can see children as young as three years’ old.
Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
How you grow up affects your life as an adult. For example, if you had a bad experience with a dog growing up, you could have a fear or dislike of dogs as an adult. That’s true for dentistry as well, which is why that first dental appointment is so important.
If your child has a bad experience at their first dental visit, that can build dental anxiety in them. This can get in the way of getting needed dental exams and dental cleanings. Adults with bad dental experiences as a child can be more likely to skip visits.
Our dental team understands that, which is why they go out of their way to help children feel welcome and safe. By having such a great first dental visit, your child can be more likely to make future appointments as an adult.
Why Your Kids Still Need Dental Care
Although baby teeth are just going to fall out, you still need to take care of them. If a baby tooth gets a cavity, it can keep growing until it infects the tooth. This causes a bad toothache which a young child is not ready to handle. Such infected teeth can need to be removed.
Children can also start to have problems with gum disease. That’s why cleaning the teeth at home and regular dental visits are still very important to your children, even if they don’t have a single adult tooth yet.
Dental Care Tips For Your Children
PROBLEMS WITH TEETHING
When those baby teeth first start showing up, babies can get fussy. That’s because it’s uncomfortable for teeth to erupt through the gums. There are several things you can do to help with teething.
Clean your finger and gently massage the gums. You can also use a cold teething ring, as the coldness and pressure help alleviate some of the pain. (Just don’t use a frozen ring. That’s too hard and can hurt more than help.) You can also use a numbing gel approved for infants.
CARING FOR BABY TEETH
Just because baby teeth are going to fall out doesn’t mean you can ignore them. Gum disease can strike at any age, and if a tooth gets infected, your child can face inflammation problems. Don’t use a fluoride toothpaste yet. Instead, use a soft-bristled brush and water to clean the teeth and gums.
HELPING KIDS FEEL SAFER
For many kids, the dentist’s office is too strange to feel comfortable in. That’s because even the best dental office for kids is going to be full of strangers, unusual noises, and weird tools and equipment. Plus, some strange person is going to be touching their teeth!
You can help alleviate dental anxiety in kids by going with them to their appointments. For young kids, they might be able to sit in your lap while getting a dental exam or dental cleaning. Older kids can’t do that, but you can still make an appointment for yourself back-to-back with theirs. This way, your kids know you’re there with them.
BUILDING GOOD DENTAL HABITS
A great trip to the dentist is one where there are no problems found. That means taking care of teeth and gums at home is so important. To help your kids develop great dental habits, let them pick out their own toothbrush. Get a toothpaste they like. You can also let them see you brush and floss so they know dental care is what “grown-ups” do too.
Call Lakewood Dental Centre today at 204-977-8515 or use our online form to schedule family dentistry appointments for everyone in your home.