Anxiety-Free Dentistry for Children
Our compassionate staff delivers high-quality dental care and makes great efforts to alleviate any anxiety associated with dental visits. It’s our goal to teach children how to establish good oral health habits to prevent additional treatment beyond cleanings, caused by cavities. When treatment is needed, our experienced doctors provide the safest options, in a local facility, within a timely manner.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE HERE
Preventive Dentistry
At your Elizabethtown pediatric dentist, our goal is to prevent dental issues from arising before it’s too late. We recommend scheduling a check-up appointment every 6 months to ensure your child’s teeth are growing properly with no underlying problems.
TIPS FOR CAVITY PREVENTION
- Limit frequency of meals and snacks.
- Encourage brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
- Watch what you drink.
- Avoid sticky foods.
- Make treats part of meals.
- Choose nutritious snacks.
Restorative Dentistry
Should your child need dental work as a result of cavities, called Restorative Dentistry, we will discuss the options with you to choose what’s best for your individual child. All our restorative treatments are performed locally, either in our office or at Hardin Memorial. Performing treatments locally and in a timely manner is of great importance to prevent the issue(s) from worsening, or prolonging your child’s discomfort. Elizabethtown Dentistry for Children performs all types of restorative dentistry on our patients through the most appropriate method of sedation, or relaxation, for the comfort and safety of your individual child.
ANXIETY-RELIEF & SEDATION
Relaxation and sedation methods are commonly used for children who have high anxiety, are too young to be expected to cooperate through restorative treatments, or have extensive treatment needs. We work with you to establish the method best for your individual child, if and when Restorative Treatment is necessary.
NITROUS OXIDE SEDATION
Our most popular tool for helping our patients to be more comfortable with restorative dentistry is nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) says that “Nitrous oxide with oxygen is a safe, effective sedative agent used to calm a child’s fear of the dental visit and enhance effective communication.” Additionally, it works well for children whose gag reflex interferes with dental treatment.
GENERAL ANESTHESIA
Elizabethtown Dentistry for Children also offers general anesthesia as a treatment option. These children may be treated in a hospital or surgery center setting under general anesthesia. Here, an anesthesiologist monitors and keeps the patient comfortable while one of our doctors are able to complete the needed treatment. This setting enables children who cannot cooperate in the office to have all of their dental work completed in one visit and have no recollection of the treatment. Our team is very experienced in treating children under general anesthesia.
FAQs
WHAT AGE SHOULD MY CHILD SEE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST?
The AAPD recommends that your child should be seen no later than 6 months after their first tooth erupts from the gum. Your child’s first birthday is an excellent time for their first dental visit. Little teeth need as much attention as “big teeth” to prevent decay and encourage life-long healthy habits.
How to best prepare for your first visit:
Have fun preparing your child for their first visit, like you would their first hair cut or traveling for a trip. Setting the expectation that the experience will be a fun and positive one, will help ease any anxiety your child might feel and increase your chances of an enjoyable visit. Having your forms filled out in advance will help expedite the check-in process and give you more time to ensure your child is excited to meet the doctor versus apprehensive about what’s to come.
DOES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY COST MORE?
Every parent wants the best for their children, and we do too! Our office will make every effort to provide you with the finest care and the most convenient financial options. To accomplish this, we work with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement for covered procedures. Our practice accepts most insurances, including Kentucky Medicaid and KCHIP.
DO I STAY WITH MY CHILD DURING THE VISIT?
We invite you to stay with your child for every step of the appointment. We ask that you limit the number of people accompanying you and the child being treated. Beyond that, we suggest you allow our caring staff to guide your child through the dental experience. Our purpose is to gain your child’s confidence and overcome any apprehension.
WHEN SHOULD I START BRUSHING MY CHILD’S TEETH?
Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, we recommend you clean his gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. As soon as his first tooth appears, you can start using a toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. You can most likely find a toothbrush designed for infants at your local drugstore. Non-Fluoride toothpaste should be used on children under the age of 3, as fluoride can be dangerous for very young children.
Tips for toddler tooth brushing:
- Let your child pick out a few toothbrushes with his favorite characters and giving him a choice of which one he wants to use each time. This will give him some feeling of control over the situation.
- Let your child brush his own teeth first, you will likely have to “help out” to ensure they are thoroughly brushed.
- Let your child read some children’s books about tooth brushing.
- Brush your teeth along with your child. Doing it together can make it more appealing.
DOES YOUR CHILD NEED BRACES?
If your child is age 7 or older, it’s time to visit an orthodontist. The earlier you can get your child in for an examination with an orthodontist, the easier it will be to ensure they start treatment at the right time to obtain the best results on the easiest path.
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