Pediatric Dental Cleanings and Exams These days, it is possible to control, reduce, or eliminate oral diseases with proper and advanced treatment. However, even more importantly than treating them, we are able to prevent them from occurring in the first place. The goal of preventive dentistry is to take simple yet effective steps that will keep your children safe from any problem that may put them at risk, and to avoid the hassle of dealing with these issues. At Higbee Family Dentistry, your dentist in Eugene, OR, we want to work with you as a team to help your kids maintain a lifelong-lasting smile. Healthy teeth are not only important for cosmetics, but also to ensure our overall wellbeing. The Importance of Routine AppointmentsBy starting to attend to routine kids dentistry checkups in Eugene OR as early as possible, it will be easier for you and your children to maintain their oral hygiene and build habits that will last a lifetime. It is recommended for children to come for their first visit with us before their first birthday, right after the eruption of their first tooth. Most parents do not bring their child until later on, but baby teeth, even if a patient only has a few, are just as prone to obtaining cavities and decay as adult teeth are. Grown-up children and adolescents, on the other hand, usually need to schedule an appointment at least twice per year. What Happens During a Dental Exam?Every mouth is different, so an exam should always begin with a comprehensive evaluation of the current situation of your children. For patients of all ages, a discussion about their dental hygiene habits and diet, as well as how they can be improved, usually takes place. Then, we will perform a dental cleaning, where we will remove plaque and tartar buildup that accumulates deep within the gums and teeth. A dental cleaning often finishes with a fluoride treatment or a sealant appliance, if needed. A professional cleaning is especially important, as a standard toothbrush is only capable of cleaning a part of our teeth, leaving the rest free for bacteria. The process is painless, should not take more than an hour, and we make sure that patients feel safe and comfortable in a friendly environment. Still, we understand that it may be difficult for younger children to attend a visit, so we may suggest light sedation options for specific cases. Further ConsiderationsX-rays are sometimes taken for children and adolescents to observe any disease or damage that cannot be seen during a normal exam. If we catch an early case of cavities, decay, gum disease or similar conditions, we will discuss the measures that you can take at home, as well as recommend a following visit to treat them. During an exam, we will be happy to give insight or answer your questions about orthodontics, sport mouthguards, or any kids dentistry or concerns that you may have. Before taking your child to our dentist in Eugene OR, it is important that you remain upbeat and positive. You should also take the time to not only explain to your child what to expect during their appointment, but also listen to your child's questions or concerns. Making children confident and encouraged about taking care of their teeth is a collaborative effort, especially before your child's first exam. Answering Your Children's Dental QuestionsTaking your children to the dentist can be confusing and question-filled for your children. Your child's natural question asking tendencies will only increase as they try to understand what going to the dentist means. To help make sure your child does not receive the wrong information or get scared, we want to help you answer some of these questions. Below are some of the most common questions kids are asking our dentist Eugene OR, about kids dentistry. If your children understand the dentist, they will not be as afraid of the experience and might even look forward to their visits. We strive to create the best possible experience in your child's first exam so that we can making a lasting impression that will last a lifetime with your child. What will the dentist do?You should be able to tell your children what our dentist plans to do during their visit. Walk them through the cleaning procedure and tell them why we are using the tools that we are. If they can understand what we are doing, they likely won't be as worried. We are happy to walk your children through our procedures and make sure they are comfortable with how everything feels. If your child has sensitive teeth or is a little nervous about going to the dentist, having some clarification can ease those worries. Why do I need to go to the dentist?If your child already brushes and flosses and does not feel pain in their teeth, then they might wonder why they even need to go to the dentist at all. After all, their mouth is already taken care of. However, you will need to explain that we clean their teeth differently than they can with their toothbrushes. Explain to your child how we get rid of plaque that has hardened on teeth and use x-rays to check for cavities. Even though they do not feel any pain in their mouth, that does not mean that nothing is wrong or that their teeth are 100 percent healthy. Educating children about preventive dentistry will help them see what coming to see us can do for them. Show them that even the most diligent brushes and flossers still need to see the dentist. Do I really need to floss?Brushing can be hard for most kids, but when flossing needs to be added in, they can question the activity. While flossing is often one of the first things that get skipped during the nighttime routine, it is just as important as brushing. You can explain to your child that flossing is something that you need to do and show them how flossing gets all the plaque and bacteria that brushing just cannot. Then they be encouraged to floss, and their mouth health will only increase. Answering your questionsKids are curious, especially about the dentist, and we want to make sure that all of their kids dentistry questions in Eugene OR are answered. If your kids still have questions about dentistry, or if you do, call our pediatric dentist at Higbee Family Dentistry at (541) 342-1187. We will be happy to answer your questions and satisfy your childs' curiosity. |
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