Tips to Prepare Kids for Their First Dental Visit

by Elizabeth Huynh | Feb 18, 2023 | Carmichael CA Dental Office, Children's Oral Hygiene, Dental How To

Tips that help you help your child understand the importance of dental hygiene!

By teaching your kids about the importance of oral health and hygiene from a young age, you’ll set them up for a lifetime of success and good health. Preparing a child for their first dental office visit is critical for setting a good tone. Now Dental is a child-friendly dentist, but a lot of how a visit to the dentist is received by a child depends on parental preparation!

Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child makes their first trip to the dentist no later than their first birthday. This not only sets up healthy habits for life, but it also ensures that a professional is keeping an eye on your child’s oral health. While it may not seem like those incoming baby teeth are a big deal, there are situations which may call for earlier intervention by a dentist!

Cultivate A Positive Attidue In Your Child Towards Dental Care
One of the biggest factors in whether or not your child has a positive experience with the dentist depends on your own attitude and example. If you act anxious, express negative feelings towards dental visits, or let your child see your own fears about the visit, it may cause your child to feel more afraid of the process. Instead, if you can bring a positive attitude and chat about the dentist in a positive light, you’ll set the tone that a visit to the dentist is a good thing.

For young kids, having too much time to think about a new, unknown experience can lead to stress, so don’t tell your kids about their upcoming dental visits until the day of the appointment. This will prevent unnecessary worrying on their part. The morning of the visit, tell them they’re going to have a fun visit with the nice tooth doctor, and answer their questions without going into too much detail.

Videos, Games, and Books
For many kids, being a little more prepared for the experience can help to set expectations and remove fear of the unknown. Age-appropriate books, YouTube videos, and games can help familiarize them with the dental setting. Playing “dentist” with your child is an excellent way to get started. Have them recline in a chair, count their teeth, brush their teeth, and talk about the importance of taking care of their teeth. Then, switch roles, allowing them to play the dentist.

Smart Scheduling
Scheduling a dentist appointment during naptime or mealtime is setting your child up for failure. Instead, be smart with your scheduling, choosing a time of day when your child is most likely to be content and in a good mood.

Positive Reinforcement
No matter if your dental visit goes off without a hitch or if your child struggles with the process, take some time after the appointment to focus on what went well. The more you reinforce the positive aspects, the more your child will focus on those good parts.

Choose the Right Dentist
Of course, choosing the right dentist for your family makes all the difference in your kids’ experience. Tips to prepare kids for their first dental visit are just guidelines that can help your child tolerate time at the dentist’s office. To set up an appointment for your child for family dental care near Carmichael, CA, reach out to the pros at Now Dental today!

Three Common Causes of Child Tooth Decay

by Elizabeth Huynh | Oct 17, 2022 | Children's Oral Hygiene

Cavities can happen in children of any age!

It is important that you pay attention to the health of even your child’s first set of teeth!
Tooth decay affects people of all ages, from seniors to children. Even toddlers can experience decay in their baby teeth, which is often a shocking discovery for their parents. Though the signs of deterioration should be a cause for concern, they can be prevented if you know what to look for and instill good oral health habits early on.

Keep reading to discover the three factors a parent can control, that can lead to tooth decay in children.

It is important for parents to pay attention to a child’s teeth as soon as they break through the gums! While there are many factors beyond a parent’s control that can affect a child’s teeth, early detection of any issues can prevent pain and other issues.

Sugary Drinks
Sugar (and more specifically, sugary beverages) is one of the biggest leading causes of tooth decay in people of all ages. However, sugary drinks pose an especially troubling problem for toddlers because of bottles and sippy cups. Though these cups may be convenient, many parents leave them with their children nearly all the time. And while this may seem like an excellent method of pacifying an active toddler, it also opens them to harmful sugar for long periods. Mouths dry out while sleeping, which means anything your child ingests before bedtime will be more likely to stick to their teeth, and their chances of developing decay increase. This phenomenon is also known as bottle rot. To avoid overexposing your child’s teeth to sugar, fill their bottles and sippy cups with water or milk. Also, try not to give them a bottle when putting them down to sleep. If you do need to provide them with a bottle before a nap or bedtime, make sure it is full of water, not juice.

Sharing Saliva
Eating and drinking sugar isn’t the only way tooth decay can form. The bacteria that initiates tooth decay can also be passed along through saliva. If you or anyone who comes in contact with your child has these bacteria, they can easily be transmitted to your baby. This can happen by sharing utensils, drinking from the same cup, or using your mouth to clean off a baby’s pacifier. To avoid spreading bacteria, refrain from doing the activities mentioned above or anything else that involves passing saliva from your mouth to theirs. Additionally, try to stop your child from sucking on or putting objects that are not designed for teething purposes in their mouth. You never know where those items have been or if any other children have gotten their saliva on them recently.

Improper Oral Health Care
The best way to avoid tooth decay is by instilling good oral health habits early on in life. Implement a regular cleaning routine starting at a young age. Even before their first tooth grows in, clean the infant’s gums with a washcloth after they eat. Once their first tooth appears, you can begin gently brushing their teeth with a baby toothbrush and water. You should also schedule their first appointment for family dental care in Carmichael, CA, within six months of their first tooth appearing. Once your toddler turns two years old, you can start brushing their teeth twice daily using fluoride toothpaste. By instilling oral health values early, you can create habits that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

If you believe your child is showing the signs of tooth decay or you want to schedule a dental appointment, contact us at Now Dental today!

Your Child’s Smile Starts with Healthy Teeth

by Elizabeth Huynh | May 20, 2022 | Children's Oral Hygiene

Your Child's Smile Starts with Healthy Teeth

It is never to early to start healthy dental habits for children!

Now Dental – Carmichael, California Family Friendly Dentistry

It’s never too early to start teaching your child about oral hygiene. Developing basic skills like proper brushing and flossing techniques is one of the easiest ways to ensure they have a healthy smile throughout their lives. Other practices like sugar avoidance and routine dental exams also can preserve your child’s pearly whites while helping them build the foundations of a healthy lifestyle. When it comes to forming healthy tooth care habits for your children, here are some professional tips from the experts at Now Dental.

Once a child’s first set of teeth present, so can tooth decay!

Your child’s first tooth usually appears around 6 months of age. Even infants are susceptible to tooth decay, specifically a condition called baby bottle tooth decay. It’s caused by overuse of bottles or pacifiers as well as the consumption of sugary drinks. Developing habits for a healthy smile should start as soon as the first tooth appears. Gently brush your baby’s teeth twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed—with a pea-sized drop of toothpaste on a gentle toothbrush. Try to make the experience fun by making them laugh and brushing their teeth between giggles. Help them learn proper brushing techniques by letting them brush your teeth when they’re older. Children learn best by mimicking the actions of others, especially when you can turn it into a game.

Just say “NO” to sugar!

Developing good eating habits at an early age is another way to protect your child’s smile. Cavities are the result of poor brushing techniques and consuming sugary foods and drinks. As a general rule, sugary drinks like soda and juice should be avoided in the first year. Candy and ice cream are nice on special occasions but make sure your child brushes their teeth immediately after their sweet treat. As they transition from formula and baby food to solids, encourage them to eat foods that are high in calcium and potassium like cheese, nuts, milk, and chicken. Firm fruits like apples and pears are also good because they help remove food building between the teeth while giving your child a naturally sweet treat.

Even baby teeth need proper care from a dentist!

Even though baby teeth are temporary, you should still schedule your first visit to the dentist as soon as they appear. Early exposure to the dentist is key to helping your child become accustomed to routine dental procedures. Some children develop a fear of the dentist because of a bad experience at the office or they pick up on their parent’s aversion to dental work. If you have a fear of the dentist, try not to let it show or ask another family member the child is familiar with to take them. Most dentists recommend morning appointments for small children because that’s when they’re rested and generally more cooperative. Some dentists are specially trained to handle small children and will use a variety of techniques to help them stay calm during their checkup.

Now Dental of Carmichael is your local Kid-Friendly Dentist

The professionals at Now Dental specialize in pediatric dentistry as well as family and cosmetic dentistry. They treat all patients, both young and old, with a stellar reputation for high-quality services in Northern California. At Now Dental, Dr. Elizabeth Huynh and her staff strive to provide a thorough and comfortable dental experience for you and your family. When it’s time to celebrate your child’s first tooth, schedule their first visit at Now Dental and have peace of mind concerning your child’s future smile. To learn more about our practice, visit us online at http://www.nowdentalonline.com, then call (916) 966-2009 to schedule an appointment.