Children have so much to learn at a young age, but with your help, they can acquire important skills and information that are important to their development. While they can have a passive role in their oral health care at first, kids will need to pick up good habits as well as an understanding of why the condition of their smile matters in order to stay in good oral health. You are able to help with this during daily sessions brushing and flossing their teeth, and by helping them stick to a healthy diet. With that said, you are not the only person who can play a role in helping your child gain the ability to practice effective oral care. At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we offer pediatric dental appointments teeth start to come in. We can provide useful instructions and guidance on daily care as well as preventive support. We can also monitor the development of their oral structures and watch for possible trouble.
Creating A Positive Impression During Your Child’s First Appointment
At around their first birthday, or within six months of when they have their first tooth erupt, a child should be brought in for their first dental appointment. An initial appointment is less involved, and more focused on giving them a positive first impression of this new environment. At the appropriate time, we can introduce more of the services that take place during the typical routine dental exam. A positive start to oral health appointments can make future visits easier, and also make kids more receptive to their dentist’s support.
Educating Kids On Proper Oral Hygiene
You and your child’s dentist should both provide guidance on smart oral hygiene. At every checkup, a child’s dentist can go over the importance of effective brushing and flossing while encouraging smart diet choices. While these lessons are helpful, they only take place during semiannual appointments. In between these appointments, you should spend time encouraging your kids to develop good habits. Once they are old enough to begin brushing and flossing by themselves, you should still check in and encourage them to maintain a routine that is effective.
Extra Steps To Protect Children’s Smiles
In order to protect kids from problems that demand restorative dental work, we can offer extra support through fluoride treatments and dental sealants. With dental sealants in place, teeth are separated from bacteria and food debris by a thin, clear protective material. While this material holds, it stops potential problems with decay from occurring. Fluoride treatments help teeth stay healthy by making it easier for enamel to repair itself before a cavity forms.
Your Ankeny, IA Dentist’s Office Can Help Your Children Protect Their Teeth!
At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we are prepared to help parents and their kids with their oral care needs! To find out more about how we can help you, please call Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230.