In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, we are myth-busting dental care questions about your kiddos and their next dental check-up.
We meet children every day that are 6 or 7 years old and have not been to a dentist. That is far later than is recommended by both medical and dental professionals! Parents may not have a good understanding of when their child’s first dental appointment should be. We are here to debunk the myths and answer some looming questions.
Myth 1: Primary (“baby”) teeth are not important.
Fact: Primary teeth are extremely important for many reasons including:
- Speech Development
- Development of permanent teeth
- Promoting a healthy smile
Myth 2: My child is too young to visit the dentist.
Fact: It is recommended by the American Dental Association to schedule your child’s first dental visit between the arrival of their first tooth (typically by 6-months-old) and his or her first birthday. Yes, the ADA recommends that your child visit the dentist before his or her first birthday! It is best to meet the dentist when your child is having no dental problems – rather than waiting for an emergency. A Spring Dental dentist can show you how to clean your child’s teeth and recommend oral care products, while instilling trust and building rapport with your child.
Here are some tips:
- Schedule a morning appointment when children are rested and cooperative.
- Stay Positive! Keep to yourself any anxiety that you may feel about dentists.
- Introduce positive images of dentists to your child.
- Stay in the exam room with your child.
Myth 3: My child is required to visit a Pediatric Dentist.
Fact: A common misconception that some parents have is that ALL children are required to visit a Pediatric Dentist. This is simply not true. We are a family dentist and we see people of all ages. However, we find that if children that haven’t visited the dentist regularly they may need additional assistance overcoming dental anxiety. We offer an enhanced comfort experience at most of our locations with IV Sedation.
Enhanced comfort appointments consist of one of following:
- IV Sedation
- Nitrous Oxide
- Local Anesthesia
- Coping techniques
The Spring Dental staff is here to answer any questions that you may have about your child’s dental health! We would love for you and your family to be a part of the Spring Dental family! Call to schedule your kiddos first appointment today!
