Consistent dental appointments should be integrated into your kids’ medical care program to promote getting on track with oral health, especially as they grow into adults.
Helping your child get ready for their first Scottsdale Pediatric Dentistry appointment may sometimes cause some feelings of uneasiness. To avoid anxiety and to help prepare your child adequately for the appointment, it helps to know what the dentist will do or ask you or your child to do. Here is what every parent or guardian should generally expect:
Introduction and familiarization
For your child’s initial dental appointment, they will probably get to know the entire dental team. They will be introduced to the dentist, dental hygienist, and dental assistant. Any dedicated dental team always believes that a pleasant and reputable atmosphere will boost the children’s confidence and make them feel good about themselves. Getting acquainted with the dentist and the other support staff is the most integral part of specifically instilling trust and confidence in the child in the world of dentistry.
Oral examination
The dentist will manually examine any visible abnormalities in your child’s mouth, teeth, or gums during the oral examination, which they usually do with gentle care. A cure rate during these appointments is typically high, and a repeat scan is rarely necessary.
Education and guidance
Pediatric dentists make oral hygiene observations for kids to educate parents, guardians, and the kids. The pediatric dentist discusses the diet pattern and the necessity of routine dental checkups. Parents or guardians can acquire advice on how to deal with oral health problems, if any, due to a particular child’s age or the development of the teeth.
Behavioral assessment and management
The initial dental visit also targets assessing your child’s behavior and attitude in the chair, and the dental team will further evaluate it. They are knowledgeable in children’s psychology and know some kids may be anxious or afraid when they see teeth for the first time.
The dental team utilizes various methods to help calm and cooperate with your child, like sensory language, small rewards or praise (during treatment), and distractions. In case the need arises if your child shows signs of anxiousness or remains in fear, then the dental team is going to do things to assure them and make whatever possible adjustments are essential to ensure a good experience. This appraisal will give the dentist a starting point to base your child’s case. In such a manner, it can serve as a tool for preventing and eventually reducing dental care anxiety.
Preventive measures and treatment recommendations
Relying on the results of the oral examination, the dentist might point your child toward preventative measures, for example, fluoride or dental sealants, to be applied to your child’s teeth to keep them from decaying. If the dentist discovers any dental issues, he is supposed to suggest some treatment types and work out a plan to cure you. Therefore, during this appointment, you must voice out any inquiries or hesitations you harbor, as this is an opportunity for you to get into details on the status of your child’s dentist.
