Providing Proper Dental Care for Healthier, Happier Children
Pediatric Dentistry
When should children begin visiting the dentist?
Children should begin visiting a dentist regularly beginning as early as 1 year old. Liberty Hill Dental sees patients of all ages and is committed to providing personalized pediatric dental care!
Why is it so important for children to visit the dentist?
Pediatric dentistry is important in order to provide your child with a lifetime of dental health. Without proper dental care, the possibility of oral decay and disease increases greatly. Today, early childhood dental caries – an infections disease – is 5 times more common in children than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.
What if my child is scared about visiting the dentist?
At Liberty Hill Dental, we want to establish a trusting relationship with our patients, especially the youngest ones. Between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. There are many reasons why people have dental phobia and anxiety, such as fear of pain, fear of injections, fear of helplessness and loss of control or embarrassment. Allowing a child to develop a relationship with the dentist allows them to see that the experience does not have to be a traumatic one.
What should I expect for my child at their first dental visit?
This is dependent on the age of demeanor of the child. For example, an 8-year-old child will understand what is being asked of them and what is happening vs. a 2 year old. However, an 8-year-old that is already nervous coming into the appointment may not allow as much to happen on their first visit as a 2 year old that is known to be open at experiencing new things.
At Liberty Hill Dental, we understand that children may present differently and we want to see them grow into adults with healthy teeth. The first visit may simply be more of a meet and greet type of appointment to show the child that we’re here to help, not hurt. If the child allows for an X-Ray, then we’ll take one. If the child allows for a cleaning and application of fluoride, then we’ll do that. If the child seems apprehensive and isn’t comfortable during the appointment, we will stop the appointment try again in a few months. We do not want to be forceful in our approach and want to make sure the experience is a pleasant one, not traumatic. Once that trust is developed strong oral hygiene habits can be established.
A typical appointment for routine cleanings for child will typically include the following:
✓ An examination of the child’s overall health and oral hygiene
✓ Possibly taking dental X-rays
✓ Removing plaque and tartar deposits and polishing their teeth
✓ Application of fluoride
✓ Demonstrating proper cleaning techniques for at home care
✓ Risk Assessment for tooth decay
✓ An evaluation of your child’s need for tooth restoration or extraction
✓ Examining their bite and jaw for any joint related problems
If your child is approaching 1 year of age or if their first tooth has already erupted, call us to schedule their first dental appointment. Our dentists will provide the pediatric dentistry they need during these important stages of development and growth.