How a Kid Friendly Dentist Can Improve Your Child’s Oral Health

Kid Friendly Dentist New Albany, IN

A kid friendly dentist sets your child up for a lifetime of good dental health. Parents should make their children’s oral health a top priority from the moment they’re born. A child’s teeth are fully developed in the womb, it just takes some time after they are born for them to erupt.

The American Dental Association recommends taking children in for their first appointment by their first birthday or after their first tooth erupts. Oral hygiene should start from birth, with parents gently wiping their babies’ teeth with a clean, soft, damp cloth. A kid friendly dentist helps to educate parents on ways to take care of their child’s teeth.

Tooth decay is the main reason children need dental care and it is caused by oral bacteria consuming sugars in the mouth and excreting acids that erode teeth. Good oral hygiene is the first step toward safeguarding a child’s oral health.

Ways a kid friendly dentist improves a child’s dental health

Some of the reasons parents should consider taking their children to a child-friendly dentist include:

1. Familiarization with dental treatments

A kid-friendly dentist customizes their clinics to be better suited to treat young patients. This includes little things like painting walls with cartoon characters and other fun graphics to make children feel relaxed and comfortable at the dentist's office. They often also have smaller tools that are better suited for children’s smaller mouths and less intimidating.

Giving children positive experiences at the dentist early on reduces their risk of developing dental phobia as adults. Child-friendly dentists do everything in their power to make children have fun experiences at the clinic so they look forward to future appointments.

2. Early detection of developing issues

Many children do not have the best oral hygiene habits, so taking them to a dentist regularly allows for the early detection of developing issues. Dental decay is the top reason parents seek dental care for their children and it leads to other problems like infection when left untreated.

Tooth decay can be tough to detect in its early stages, but kid-friendly dentists have the experience and tools that make it easier for them to notice the smallest signs of decay. Dental caries can be reversed in their early stages with fluoride treatments, but more severe decay requires fillings or root canals.

Regular appointments with a child-friendly dentist also allow for the early detection of orthodontic issues, which are typically easier to treat when a child’s jaw and facial structures are still developing. Teeth straightening treatments can be addressed as early as age seven.

3. Parents are educated on ways to take care of their child’s mouth

One of the main roles of a children-friendly dentist is to educate parents on ways to properly take care of their children’s teeth. This might include demonstrating proper brushing and flossing techniques or giving parents tips on ways to encourage their children to clean their mouths by themselves.

Encouraging proper oral hygiene is the single most effective thing parents can do to protect their child’s oral health. Children who develop good oral hygiene early on are less likely to need restorative treatments in the future.

Good oral hygiene includes cleaning teeth at least twice a day, not once like many people think. The most important time to clean the mouth is right before going to bed since teeth are most vulnerable during sleep due to reduced saliva secretion.

4. Performs preventative treatments

A kid-friendly dentist also spends a significant amount of time performing preventative treatments to protect their patients’ oral health. Some of the most popular preventative treatments performed on children include:

  • Teeth cleaning: This involves using a scaler to remove tartar deposits from teeth. Tartar is calcified plaque, the sticky film that builds up on teeth after meals. It cannot be removed by brushing, giving bacteria a safe base to attack teeth from. Teeth cleanings are performed to remove tartar, protecting patients against tooth decay and gum disease
  • Dental sealants: Dental sealants are composite resin barriers that are painted on the biting surfaces of teeth to protect against decay. They are usually recommended for children’s molars since many children are unable to clean them properly. One application of dental sealants protects teeth from decay for as long as three years
  • Fluoride treatments: Fluoride treatments involve painting a child’s teeth with a fluoride varnish that is rinsed off later. It protects against decay and can reverse the demineralization stage of tooth decay

Your child’s oral health is our priority

Our kid-friendly dentist can take care of all your child’s needs and protect their long-term dental health. Call or drop by our New Albany clinic to set up an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://riverfallsfamilydental.com or call River Falls Family Dental at (812) 962-7342 for an appointment in our New Albany office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Kid Friendly Dentist in New Albany, IN.

Recent Posts

Common Treatments Performed By A Family Dentist

Seeing your family dentist for regular checks and treatments can maintain or improve your dental health. You can avail of basic treatments during your visits. Knowing what each one is can help you make informed decisions. Here are the common treatments that you can get from your family dentist.Cavities may worsen over time. Dental decay…

Making The Most Of Your Family Dentist Visit

Most people are aware of the steps needed to ensure the health of their teeth and mouth. Brushing, flossing, rinsing, eating healthy, and making those all-important trips to the family dentist. The American Dental Association recommends two professional visits per year. With six months between visits, your time with your dental provider is not so…

Visit Our Family Dentist In New Albany For A Checkup

Looking for a family dentist? Oral health is an essential part of a person’s overall health. The health of the teeth and gums is vital for other aspects of our body to stay healthy, too. This is one reason that a dentist typically wants patients to come in at least twice per year for a…

Ask A Family Dentist: Will My Teeth Be Whitened At A Dental Checkup?

The effectiveness of teeth-whitening treatments can be enhanced by visiting the family dentist. If you are thinking of whitening your teeth, you should start by scheduling a dental checkup. Visiting your dentist before whitening can increase the chances of successful treatment. Your family dentist will be able to assess your oral health before recommending a…

Recent Posts

What Are Preventive Treatments Offered By A General Dentist?

What Are Preventive Treatments Offered By A General Dentist?

General dentists spend a significant portion of their time performing preventative dental treatments. These treatments reduce the odds of common dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, from developing in the future. Preventative care saves patients time and money by making it less likely that they will develop severe dental problems that call for…

How Dental Bonding Is Used As A Cosmetic Dental Service

How Dental Bonding Is Used As A Cosmetic Dental Service

Cosmetic dental services have a collection of treatments that can target specific dental issues. Your dentist can assess the issue or issues first. Recommending procedures like dental bonding can give a fast and effective solution. Here are the details on how dental bonding can serve as one of the quickest, most effective cosmetic dental services…