Helpful Hints for Your Child’s Next Dental Visit

Every parent wants their child to have successful dental visits. We couldn’t agree more! We want to create a positive experience for our young patients, so we have a great prize box and an even better team to treat your child. Additionally, we encourage parents to take some practical steps to make the treatment experience easier for kids. Here is what we advise:

Encourage Independence

Please don’t carry your child in. This is a moment of independence, and it starts with walking through the door! If you hug and kiss your child before they go back, it implies that it’s scary and they can’t do it. It’s definitely not your last goodbye. Play it off like they’re a big kid now. They are!

Your child will do best if he/she goes back by themselves. We will come get you when we do the exam.

Oftentimes, a parent is nervous and their anxiety transfers to their child. We will let you check on them throughout the appointment. You may be surprised by how smoothly everything goes!

Do Not Feed Negative Feelings

If your child needs a filling, do not mention anything about a shot. The majority of the time, the child doesn’t feel it! We will handle it!

Do not say anything like, “It will not hurt.” Even though your intentions are good, that implies there is pain to come.

Please don’t shame your child for the cavity by saying things like, “I told you to brush,” or expressing similar sentiments. Remember, there was only one person who bought the sugary snacks that led to the decay. We will talk to your child about brushing better! We may also encourage you to purchase an electric toothbrush for them because they clean way better than manual.

Fluoride is a great help for preventing cavities. If your child has a high decay rate, we may suggest brushing with a stronger fluoride toothpaste at night.

What to Do After the Appointment

Following the appointment, don’t say, “Did it hurt?” Again, it implies pain. Be encouraging. “Great job!” is a better phrase to use.

If your child is in ortho, we strongly encourage cleanings every 3 months. Your orthodontist is NOT checking for decay. If your child doesn’t have regular cleanings, they can end up with white spots around their brackets when they are removed. Relatively frequent cleanings may prevent this issue and thereby protect the investment you have made in your child’s mouth.

Dentistry shouldn’t be scary for kids! Follow the tips in this blog post to help your child’s future dental visits go more smoothly.

Meet the Practice

In our practice, we work under the leadership of Drs. Cooper Owens and Shannon Duqum. Our team loves caring for families in the Geneva community, and we have a special place in our heart for young smiles. If it is time for your child’s next dental visit, or you have questions about what to expect while in our practice, contact us at 440-466-4884.