Many people believe that they need to take their children to a pediatric dentist, but at Parma Ridge Family Dental, we see children as young as three, so your whole family can be treated in one place. Choosing the right office can make all the difference in the world when it comes to building healthy habits that last a lifetime, so we do everything we can to make visits fun and engaging for little ones when your family visits us.
What to Expect at Your Pediatric Dental Visit
Dr. Gecovich enjoys working with children, and often enlists their help when “counting” their teeth. During the exam, she’ll check for decay and make sure your child’s teeth are coming in like they should. You’re welcomed to stay in the room for the visit if you prefer, aside from when x-rays are taken. These are done with a digital x-ray machine, which adds to the excitement of the visit because kids can watch them on screen. Depending on your child’s preferences, he or she can chat with the hygienist during the cleaning or watch cartoons on the in-room TV. At the end of the visit, our hygienist will work with your child on practicing good hygiene, including instruction time on good brushing and flossing techniques. We’ll wrap things up by rewarding your son or daughter with an age-appropriate toothbrush to make brushing at home more fun, as well as a trip to our prize box for good behavior. We’ll also go over any findings with you and answer any questions you may have.
Fluoride
Fluoride treatments are typically recommended as an essential component of decay prevention. It strengthens the enamel and will help keep your child’s teeth healthy and cavity-free.
Sealants
Molars (the teeth in the back) can be particularly difficult for children to clean simply because of their position. In addition, they have deep grooves in the biting surfaces, known as pits and fissures, that tend to collect food particles, which puts them at very high risk for decay. Our office usually recommends that children have sealants placed on these back teeth in order to lock out decay. No special aftercare is required and the sealants will blend in naturally with your child’s teeth because they’re white. They do not require any drilling and can be placed quickly, making them a very simple and effective decay-prevention tool.
Preparing for Your Child’s First Visit
Young children need lots of help keeping their teeth healthy. You can help your child prepare for his or her first visit by:
- Letting him/ her watch you brush and floss
- Brushing and flossing with your child
- Showing your child proper techniques
- Doing a second round of brushing after your child brushes, to help catch the places he or she misses
- Using timers and phone apps to make brushing more fun, and to ensure your child brushes for the full two minutes
- Having a nonchalant attitude about visiting the dentist (don’t do too much to “prepare” your son or daughter because you may unintentionally make them nervous)
- Educating him/ her about cavity prevention (but please don’t use the dentist as a threat for kids who don’t want to brush- this can make them fearful too)
- Using positive reinforcement to reward good brushing and flossing habits
More Information
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Schedule a Pediatric Dental Visit
Whether you’re already a patient with us or your family will be new, we’d love to help your children build lifelong healthy habits. To schedule a visit, please fill out our online form or call our office.