Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA
Childhood is the best time to begin strong, lifelong oral hygiene practices, and children model what their parents do. When your child watches your oral hygiene regime, s/he will follow suit. Likewise, how a parent feels and talks about the dentist will help shape how a child feels. No one benefits if unnecessary fears about the dentist set in at a young age, but studies suggest that a sizable population of elementary-age students report being scared of the dentist. Modeling positivity about oral health and dental visits sets every child up to enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime.
The best time to start thinking about your child’s oral health is before the first tooth starts to pop through his or her gums. Our family dentists in Bloomsburg have plenty of experience working with children, and today they’re sharing the following tips to help you start preparing for your child’s oral health:
Start early
Even before a child is ready for a toothbrush, parents should wipe Baby’s teeth and gums with a soft cloth. When a child is one year old — or approximately six months after the first tooth pops through — s/he’s ready for a first visit with the dentist! A dental visit at this age doesn’t look the same as a usual visit, but rest assured there are plenty of reasons to visit the dentist this early. The dentist can advise parents about teething, tooth decay from baby bottles, thumb-sucking and pacifier habits and how to properly clean the baby’s teeth.
Pretend play
A fantastic way to prepare a child for a dental appointment is to do what children do best: pretend! Playing dentist and patient can ready a child for simple tasks they’ll need to know at the dentist, like lying down and opening their mouths wide. Mimicking noises that various dental tools and instruments make can prevent a child from being fearful of those sights and sounds once in the dentist’s chair.
Schedule a visit
Before a child’s first visit to the dentist, consider visiting and touring our Bloomsburg family dentistry office. It’s always more comfortable to walk into a familiar place with recognizable, friendly faces.
Pediatric Dentistry in Bloomsburg, PA
Whether you’re expecting a bundle of joy or it’s time to start looking for a dentist for a first appointment, our kid-friendly team at Hamilton Dental Care is ready to answer any questions you may have about pediatric dentistry. We want to set your child up for success by helping him or her develop habits early that will result in a beautiful, healthy smile that will last a lifetime. Give us a call at (570) 316-0887 today!
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