About 87% of children between the ages of 2 and 17 have visited a dentist within the past year. Introducing your child to their Elizabethtown pediatric dentist at a young age is essential to their oral health. The best kid’s dentist can help your child improve and maintain a stunning smile for years to come.
Not sure what questions to ask a pediatric dentist in Elizabethtown? Here are seven to get you started.
Asking these questions can help you feel more prepared to help your child with their smile. Read on to learn more!
1. When Should My Child First Visit?
You don’t need to rush your baby to a children’s dentist the moment they’re born. However, you should start preparing for their first appointment fairly soon.
If you see a tooth begin to erupt, it’s time to schedule a visit with a kid’s dentist in Elizabethtown, KY. Usually, this happens when your child is about six months old.
Regardless of when the tooth erupts, make sure to schedule an appointment before their first birthday. Otherwise, bring them in if you see anything abnormal, including:
- Bleeding
- White spots
- Lesions
Tooth decay affects nearly one in five children under the age of 5. Bringing your child in early can help their dentist diagnose and treat problems as soon as possible. At the same time, it gives your child the chance to get comfortable in the dentist’s chair.
Those first few appointments can set your baby up for a healthy smile for life. The dentist can check for tooth decay, injuries, and other issues during these appointments. They’ll also maintain a record to track changes to your baby’s mouth as they grow older.
If your child is over a year old and hasn’t visited their pediatric dentist yet, don’t worry! Schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
They can begin receiving care, giving you peace of mind that their oral health is in the best possible state.
2. What Should We Expect?
Make sure to schedule a consultation appointment at the Elizabethtown Dentistry for Children offices before your child’s official appointment. This consultation appointment can help you prepare—both yourself and your child. Knowing what to expect beforehand will help you determine the best way to put your child at ease.
It’s normal for a child to feel anxious about new experiences. Talk to them about going to the dentist before their first appointment.
Helping them understand the importance of oral health can help ease their tension about dental visits.
The dentist will need to use a few dental tools in order to thoroughly clean your child’s teeth. Let them know in advance that there’s nothing to be afraid of.
During the first appointment, your child can sit on your lap as the dentist completes a visual examination. The dentist can also clean your child’s teeth if they already have a few. Otherwise, the dentist will clean your child’s gums.
Then, you can discuss your child’s oral health and how they can make improvements to their routine.
3. What’s the Best Way to Clean Their Teeth?
While your child is still young, you’ll need to brush their teeth and gums for them. Most kids don’t learn how to brush their teeth alone until they’re toddlers. Even then, you might need to coach them and help them from time to time.
It’s sometimes difficult to learn how to properly clean a child’s mouth before they have their complete set of baby teeth. Talk to your kid’s dentist in Elizabethtown, KY. They can walk you through the process and show you the proper technique.
4. What Products Should We Use?
Talk to the dentist about the type of toothpaste and toothbrush you should use for your child, too.
Many kids forget to spit out their toothpaste. If they swallow adult toothpaste, they could get sick.
Instead, ask the dentist what kids’ toothpaste they recommend.
5. How Do We Prevent Bad Dental Habits?
Talk to your pediatric dentist in Elizabethtown about preventing bad dental habits before they develop. Your dentist can provide you with helpful tips for improving your child’s oral health.
Talk to the dentist if your child is getting older and still sucking on a pacifier or their thumb. This habit could impact the growth of their adult teeth. It could lead to orthodontic issues later.
Your pediatric dentist can provide you with tips to help you get your child to stop sucking their thumbs. Then, your child’s teeth will have more of a chance to develop properly.
Talk to the dentist if you’re concerned about your child’s dental anxiety, too. Many practices have services like sedation dentistry for children that can help. Neglecting to resolve your child’s dental anxiety could lead to oral health issues down the road.
6. When Will Their Baby Teeth Fall Out?
Children lose their baby teeth at different times throughout their adolescence. Some children take longer than others to lose all their baby teeth, too. However, most kids will start losing teeth as early as six years old.
Your dentist could help you predict a more accurate timeline to ensure your child remains on track.
Let the dentist know if your child is 10 years old and they still haven’t lost any teeth. It could indicate something is wrong.
7. Will They Need Braces?
Eventually, most parents ask their pediatric dentists if their child will require retainers, braces, or another form of orthodontic treatment.
Your dentist can keep an eye out for overcrowding or extreme alignment issues. They can help you spot these problems before they develop further. Then, your child can begin orthodontic treatment to ensure their teeth remain in proper alignment.
Visit an Elizabethtown Pediatric Dentist With Your Child Today
Prioritize your child’s oral health this year. Consider asking these questions during your visit with their Elizabethtown pediatric dentist. Asking these questions can help you remain equipped to help your child improve their smile.
Remember to schedule a consultation appointment with the dentist before your child’s first visit. Ready to get started?