Your Child’s First Visit With a Family Dentist in Grande Prairie
Your child’s first pediatric dental appointment is a big milestone and should happen right after their first birthday. Since the dentist is a brand new experience for children, we keep the first visit short with very little treatment. Sometimes we ask parents to sit in our dental chairs and hold their child throughout the visit to make sure the child feels calm and comforted.
As a dentist for children in Grande Prairie, our dental staff will take care to examine your child’s teeth and gums carefully. The next step depends on your child’s age and oral health. If your child is old enough, we may take X-rays to show areas of decay and see how your child’s permanent teeth look under their gums. Our dental staff can also choose to clean your child’s teeth and apply a topical fluoride to stop any decay before it starts.
Education is important in this stage of your child’s oral health. We make sure your child is getting the right amount of fluoride at home, and we will review the best ways for you to clean and care for your child’s teeth.
WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY CHILD ABOUT THEIR FIRST DENTAL VISIT?
It’s normal to feel a little anxious before your child’s pediatric dental appointment and worry about what to tell them. Gateway Dentistry Group recommends talking to your child about the dentist in the same way you would before their first haircut or doctor’s appointment.
Before you bring them to the appointment, here are a few tips to help make the first visit successful:
- Bring them to the office a few days before, so they know what to expect. Or use our online tour of the office and point out where they will be.
- Read some positive books about going to the dentist and tell your child your favourite stories about your time at the dentist.
- Review what the dentist will do during your child’s first visit and explain why children’s dental health is important.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING A PEDIATRIC DENTAL APPOINTMENT?
Of all the firsts in your child’s life, we strive to make their first dentist appointment something you can prepare yourself and your child for. During a pediatric dental appointment, you can expect:
- An examination of your child’s mouth, teeth and gums.
- An evaluation of any bad habits such as thumb sucking.
- Education on the benefits of fluoride treatments and other aspects of children’s dental health.
- Suggestions on what regular dental visit schedule works best for you and your child.
WHAT ABOUT PREVENTATIVE CARE?
Another important part of a child’s first dentist appointment is discussing preventative care. Talk to your dentist for children in Grande Prairie about sealants. Our dentists use sealants to protect children’s teeth. Sealants are a type of plastic coating that fills in the spaces of chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. Using them is a great way to start a strong foundation of positive children’s dental health.
CAVITY PREVENTION
No one wants a cavity, especially kids who are already nervous about going to the dentist. As a parent, there are simple ways to prevent cavities and keep your child’s teeth strong and beautiful. It starts with a healthy diet and limiting consumption of sugary foods. Brushing regularly and keeping food residue off your child’s teeth also lessen the chance of getting cavities.
Some other helpful tips include:
- Watching what your child drinks.
- Keeping them away from sticky foods.
- Giving them healthy snacks.
DENTAL SEDATION FOR CHILDREN
Sometimes you can try every trick in the book and still have a hard time taking your child to the dentist. That fear and anxiety only intensify when a child needs some kind of dental surgery. Gateway Dentistry Group offers sedation for children to help both children and their parents have a positive experience.
We can perform general anesthesia right in our office, so you do not have to travel somewhere else your child is not familiar with. Sedation can be a good option for young children, individuals with special needs, uncooperative kids or those who need more extensive dental procedures.
