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5 Ways to Help Your Child Feel Comfortable at the Dentist’s Office  

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If you have younger children, they may have some discomfort around visiting the dentist. Because the dentist may be a new experience, kids might feel anxious, which can lead to tears. Your dentist in Beaumont , TX is ready to help make your youngster as comfortable as possible. Here are some tips you can use at home, as well.

Let Your Child Choose What to Wear

Let your child wear what they want to visit the dentist. Even if it’s footed pajamas, your dentist won’t mind. Children often feel more secure in certain garments than in others. If your child wants to wear a magic princess dress, a knight Halloween costume or anything else, just allow it.

Bring Teddy Along

You might suggest that your child’s favorite teddy bear or doll go along to the dentist’s office, too. Depending upon the child’s age, maybe teddy has a toothache and needs to visit the dentist? This strategy empowers the child so that they are the ones in charge of ensuring teddy gets the care he needs.

Consider Sedation Dentistry

Your child could also have sedation dentistry in Beaumont, TX. This is completely safe for kids and widely used. It’s mild, and the parent can be there next to the child holding their hand as the mild sedative works and the child relaxes.

Visit More Often

Most anxiety in people is alleviated with exposure therapy. The more you bring your child to the dentist, the more comfortable they are likely to be. Even a quick visit to the dentist to pop in and say hi to the friendly staff on your way to another destination can do wonders with making a child realize that the dentist office is a welcoming and friendly place.

Talk it Out

On the way to and from the dentist office, talk to your child about their feelings if they are willing to. On the way to the appointment, ask what they are afraid of. On the way home, review those fears and have the child acknowledge that those fears did not happen.

The staff and dentists at Southern Oaks Dental Care are professionals at pediatric dentistry. We welcome your child, and will do everything we can to help them feel safe and happy during their visit.

 

5 Tooth Brushing Tips for Your Little One

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Very young children don’t know how to brush their teeth and must be taught how. As a parent, it’s your job to help your child with this task. There are many things you can do to help your child learn to brush and take care of their teeth. Here’s what we suggest for parents of toddlers and early grade school ages.

1. Teach Them to Brush

When children are just toddlers, they are not capable of brushing their teeth well on their own. They don’t have hand-eye coordination, nor do they understand how important it is to reach all their teeth. At this point, you should be doing most of the brushing.

When your child gets older, around five or six years old, you should be teaching them to brush by modeling good brushing, and then letting them do it on their own.

2. Use a Soft-Bristled Brush

Children don’t need medium or hard-bristled brushes. Use a toothbrush designed for their age group. Make sure the bristles are soft.

3. Set a Time Limit

Time your child while they’re brushing their teeth. Ideally, they’ll be brushing their teeth for two minutes, but if your child is very young, they may not be able to tolerate an activity of this nature that is two minutes long. You may be able to keep them engaged by showing them a short entertaining video on your phone.

4. Use Fluoride Toothpaste – Know How Much

Fluoride toothpaste is recommended for children of all ages, but using the correct amount of toothpaste is important. If your child is under three years old, use a small smear of toothpaste. If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6, use a pea-sized amount. Supervise your child while they brush their teeth to ensure they don’t swallow the toothpaste.

5. Consult With Your Child’s Dentist

Your child’s dentist can help your child learn how to brush their teeth. Consult with your child’s dentist during their next appointment. Your child’s dentist can show your child how to brush their teeth appropriately. To make an appointment for an examination and tooth cleaning, call Southern Oaks Dental Care.

Why Does My Child Get So Many Cavities?

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Every year, you bring your child to the dentist to get their checkup, and sometimes it can seem like every year, your child has new cavities that need to be filled. Why is your child getting so many cavities? We get this question a lot at Southern Oaks Dental Care from worried parents, and we are always here to help. We’ve pulled together some of the most common reasons a child can have ongoing issues with dental caries.

1. Children are not vigilant about at-home oral hygiene.

Children may appear to be brushing, but a child’s effort to brush and floss can be far less in-depth than an adult who understands the importance of dental hygiene. In addition, children are more likely to skip brushing and flossing if parents are not watching or supervising the task. For younger kids, it is always best to supervise brushing and help them with flossing. For older children, check in with them daily to make sure they are actually brushing and flossing. Even teens can need a gentle reminder to brush and floss.

2. Children don’t always follow the best nutrition plan.

Poor nutrition can be directly related to excess problems with decay. Therefore, if you have a picky eater that is not eating a lot of vitamins and minerals, their teeth can be more prone to decay. Plus, children are more likely to reach for candy, gum, and sugary drinks that can be hard on the teeth. If your child does have ongoing issues with decay, examine what foods they are consuming, supplement where they are lacking, and try to swap out sugary choices for healthier options.

3. Children can have issues with cavities due to a lack of fluoride.

Lack of fluoride can also mean heightened problems with decay because fluoride helps strengthen teeth enamel. Take a look at your child’s main water supply and make sure it is fluoridated. Talk to the dentist about fluoride treatments as well.

Get Advice from a Pediatric Dentist in Beaumont, TX

Ongoing problems with cavities during childhood is an issue parents should closely monitor. If your child seems to be more prone to decay than most, be sure to work closely with a pediatric dentist in Beaumont, TX to develop a good care plan. If you are looking for a dentist that treats children, reach out to us at Southern Oaks Dental Care to schedule an appointment.