Tag: special health needs

Dental Care for Your School Age Children

My Mom Is Teaching Me How To Brush My Teeth
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In the Know for You to Know

Why are regular dental check-ups so important?

Check-ups every 6 months are a time to talk about your oral hygiene routine and the increasing role your child is taking in their own oral health. It’s discussing fluoride, your child’s diet on their teeth, habits, and what you can expect in terms of growth and dental development. And depending, we may talk about sealants.

What should we be doing at home?

Supervise, encourage and model your child’s daily flossing and brushing routine. This allows you to reinforce why they need to brush for a full 2 minutes twice a day and floss before brushing each night. There’s lots of fun ways to brush, check out 2min2x.org.

Teething Again?

In a different way. Now it’s the Adult teeth which are coming into their mouths. Around the age of 6 bottom and top front teeth come in followed by the very back (behind the baby teeth) molars. Age 7 it’s the side teeth. Between 9 and 11 years old the eye teeth (canines) come in. Around 12 their second set of adult molars comes in, and you guessed it, they are called the 12 year molars. Around this time their baby molars are being replaced with their premolars.

Are children afraid of the Dentist at this age?

Yes and no. Some may cry, others may be hesitant, and others will be happy to be there. If you have concerns talk with your Pediatric Dentist. Pediatric Dentists are experts in how to make dental visits a positive experience for your child.

When are X-rays taken?

Pediatric Dentists follow the protocol established by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. There are certain times when it is important to take an x-ray and the information we see is valuable in helping take care of your child. Be assured that dental x-rays are very safe, we’ve come a long way in technology.

Are mouth guards important?

In one word, Yes. Children this age are starting to participate in gym, recess, after school athletics, and/or school sports, so it’s important to be aware of injury prevention. A mouth guard is recommended at this age for any sport that leads to contact with a surface or another person. For the same reason children wear helmets and shin guards, or use foam mats as part of their equipment they also wear a mouth guard, and that is for their Safety.

Remember Your Goal

With good oral care at home and regular twice a year check-ups your child has the potential to become an adult without ever suffering from a cavity or other oral health issues. This is priceless.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Halloween Tips for Healthy Teeth

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Halloween will soon be here

What costume will you wear?

Will it be trick or will it be treat?

If you choose treats, what will they bee?

and what will you do to keep your teeth healthy?

If it’s sticky, it gets stucky and that’s so yucky!

Stay away from gooey fruities, caramels, and other chewy candy.

Drink water to help wash away the sticky chewies.

Water is really good for you and your teeth. Have you ever seen a vampire with a cavity?

Brush your teeth in the morning and at night, and remember to floss before you brush.

It takes 2 minutes of brushing to clean away all the candy that’s on your teeth and flossing to remove what’s gotten in between your teeth.

Smooth chocolate is the best. It sliddddes off your teeth.

Choose 5 pieces of candy, eat them all at the same time and you’re done.

No hiding those other candies for snacking later.

Follow these tips and your teeth will be Spooktacularrr!

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

7 of our Favorite Books to read before your Pediatric Dentist appointment

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Our favorite books to read before your visit. By the way, parents and children LOVE them too!

Baby teeth are important and so are dental check-ups. These pearly whites help your child chew their food, speak, grow, and eventually guide their adult teeth into their correct positions.

20 Baby Teeth guiding all those Adult Teeth into position they must be super important

Keeping baby teeth healthy helps you keep your child healthy not just now but also for when they are the adults. Starting early, or as early as possible is the key to starting on this path.

So snuggle up, choose a good book (or two or three) and start on your dental journey.

The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss A hilarious book about all things teeth.

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Jan and Stan Berenstain Mama, Papa, Brother and Sister set out for their trip to the Dentist and learn about all the ways a Dentist helps keep teeth healthy.

Curious George Visits the Dentist by H.A. Rey Read about how George’s first visit to the Dentist is fun and a learning experience all in one.

Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig) by Scholastic George is going to the Dentist for his very first visit and Peppa is coming along to show him how much fun this will be.

Off We Go to the Dentist by Avril Webster Great book for helping children adjust to new experiences and potential sensory issues (bright lights, sounds, textures). Gently introduces what to expect at your visit for toddlers, children with special health care needs, and children for whom English is their second language.

Dora Goes to the Dentist by Randy Roper Dora describes her trip to the Dentist and involves the reader by asking you to look for things and do certain things (like opening your mouth wide). Just the right amount of detail.

Sesame Street Ready, Set, Brush! A pop-up book Elmo, Zoe, and their friends show how much fun dental visits and taking care of your teeth at home can be.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Top 6 Tips to know about Your Pediatric Dentist for Your Family

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In the Know for You to Know

Tip 5 How do Pediatric Dentist’s feel about Parents in the treatment room?

WE LOVE PARENTS!

We want you to feel totally comfortable whether you want to be in or out of the room. A little in, a little out, one foot in, one foot out, listening behind the wall, sitting on the chair. The choice is yours. Why? You know your child best

The Choice is Yours

Want to stay in the room? Here’s some tips:

Knowing you are there will automatically allow your child to feel comfortable. Standing slightly out of site and not letting facial expressions (above the mask) be seen decreases the possibility that a worried look will upset your child. Even the youngest children are very attuned to their parent’s facial cues.

Be a silent observer. This allows your Pediatric Dentist to build rapport and provide positive coaching for your child.

If your child needs reassurance you can sit on the chair and hold their hand or have your toddler sit on your lap.

If you decide not to come in your Pediatric Dentist will talk with you afterwards. It’s always our goal to keep you informed about your child’s oral health and development. Plus we want to tell you what an awesome helper they are!

Tip 6 Do Pediatric Dentists have recommendations about what to say about an upcoming appointment?

Yes we do because this is so helpful for setting the tone for your child’s visit.

It’s always best to keep it light and positive.

You may want to start talking about your upcoming appointment the day before or a few days before your visit. You may want to start your own tradition with a personal tooth brushing song, or read books and watch movies. Maybe you’ll start family brushing time to show your Pediatric Dentist what a great job you do.

FYI – stay tuned for my upcoming post on Top Books to read with your Child before visiting your Pediatric Dentist.

You and your Pediatric Dentist are on the same team and together will establish positive expectations and experiences for your child.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Top 6 tips to know about Your Pediatric Dentist for Your Family

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In the Know for You to Know

Tip 3 So what is a Pediatric Dentist’s specific style?

Great question! 

One of our primary approaches is Tell-Show-Do.  This is the way we introduce everything dental at each appointment.  

Now you’re asking, how do you do this?  You guessed it, we explain (tell) what we are going to do in appropriate words for your child’s age and level of understanding.  We introduce (show) your child to what we are going to do for them in a simplified manner with some demonstrations and naming some instruments with funny names (looking glass, tooth counter, mr. thirsty, straw, and there are more).  Then we begin (do) the appointment.  

There is also Positive Reinforcement, where we praise and reward children for behaviors that help them accomplish their dental care in a happy way.

Sometimes if necessary, we use Distraction.  This involves choosing words extra extra carefully while placing a child’s attention on conversation, movies, music, or video games; at the same time encouraging, engaging and supporting the child to have a positive experience.

Tip 4 What is the benefit of these concepts?

In a word, Empowerment.

Empowerment for the short term, as it is introducing what is new and unknown in a kind, respectful, fun, age appropriate way with the desire to create and build on positive experiences, allowing children to build trust and feel comfortable with the office and their Pediatric Dentist.  

Empowerment for the long term, because it is creating a life time of regular happy, stress free oral health care appointments.

Stay Tuned for Tip 5

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Top 6 tips to know about Your Pediatric Dentist for Your Family

~ kidstoothhotline

In the Know for You to Know

Tip 1 You’re wondering, why take my child to a Pediatric Dentist?  Isn’t my Dentist okay and it’s one less trip?

Maybe it is or maybe it isn’t.

Did you know that Pediatric Dentists are the Pediatricians of Dentistry. As Pediatric Dentists we have two to three years of specialty training following dental school and limit our practice to treating children only. 

That’s right, from your child’s first tooth to College graduation. We’re there with you from their first tooth, for every new tooth, every tooth bump and every tumble.

We are both primary and specialty oral health care providers for ALL infants and children through adolescence and young adulthood.

For children, adolescents, young adults, and adults with special health needs we are your go to Dentist. Our goal for you is to receive care while also providing insights for what you are experiencing, will experience over the coming months, make suggestions and plans for your home routine while enhancing dental care.

Our Commitment to Your Family

We do what we do for your child because we CARE

Tip 2 Now you’re asking yourself, if we go, what is a Pediatric Dentist’s approach for children?

I’m glad you asked.  We strive every day and in every way to exceed your expectations because you are entrusting us with the care of your child.  

We do this by providing the highest quality state of the art personalized oral health care for your child in a compassionate, family friendly, relaxing environment where your comfort is our top priority.

Everything is specifically for children.  Our offices are transformed into magical kid friendly places (adjusted for COVID).  We know the cutting edge techniques, have the latest and greatest materials, and the best stuff. 

We understand “child’s time,” and give every child all the time he or she needs to build a long lasting relationship on mutual trust, respect, and confidence.

You and your Pediatric Dentist are on the same team with the joint goal to set up positive expectations and experiences for your child no matter their age.

Stay tuned for Tip 3

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!