Oh Baby! Let’s get you to the Dentist
When you have a baby life gets more complicated. You have responsibility for another human being. The decisions you make now and over the next couple of decades are going to impact your child. Daunting? Yes. Scary? Yes, and often borderline terrifying, but thankfully parenting involves lots of fun too.
Parenting books and websites are loaded with the do’s and don’ts of parenthood: good manners, good eating, education, sleep and play. One area that rarely garners enough attention is the importance of oral hygiene.
When do I take my child to the dentist for the first time?
Oral health is important for all ages. (Though ideally 8-10 years old for orthodontic treatment). People are often surprised at the young age our Riccarton dentists like to see children at, but these baby or primary teeth are worth protecting - they play crucial roles in your child’s development:
· They help your child chew properly to maintain good nutrition
· They help your child learn to speak clearly so they can be understood
· They help to space the secondary teeth in your child’s mouth
· They contribute to helping your child develop self-confidence
Your first visit to our dental clinic in Christchurch is a fantastic opportunity to learn how best to care for your child’s teeth.
How to prepare your young child for the dentist?
Thankfully fear of the dentist is dying a death. Dental care and procedures have advanced to such an extent that minimal invasive dentistry makes dental treatment comfortable and pretty much pain-free. However, this does not mean children find a trip to the dentist a walk in the park.
Here are 5 ways to prepare your child for the dentist:
1. From a young age, encourage your child to be relaxed when they have their teeth examined. Counting teeth is always a popular game to play, let your child count yours too so they can see you are not scared by any prodding and poking.
2. Take your child with you to your appointment so they can hear the machinery and get familiar with the dental clinic environment and feel safe.
3. Play make believe taking turns in being the patient and the dentist. Playing games is a great way for smaller children to get familiar with what will happen when they visit a dental clinic (please no gruesome tooth extractions!)
4. Plan the time of your visit. Young children are often tired and overwhelmed around their usual nap time, at the end of the day and absolutely when they are hungry. Make your appointment for a time when you know your child is more likely to be relaxed.
5. Use positive language about coming to see us. Language such as ‘you are being brave’ implies there is something to be scared about. Keep conversation factual and use a calm tone of voice.
Duxton Dental proactively helps parents to develop and maintain oral health for their young, and this starts from their very first visit. With Ministry of Health data from 2019 identifying more than 40% of New Zealand’s five-year-olds suffered with tooth decay, this really is a huge problem for our young people. The Ministry of Health has some great information on your child's dental care at a young age, found here
Contact us today to arrange an appointment for your child. We share all kinds of information with parents to help you teach your child how to protect their teeth, for the long term. From dietary and brushing tips, mouthguards to orthodontics, Duxton Dental are with you each step of the way.
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