Tag: child dental care

How To Keep Your Kids From Fearing The Dentist!

If you have young children, their oral health should be a top priority for you. But sometimes, kids get scared and don’t want to go to the dentist. This year, for National Children’s Dental Health Month, the team at Grand Mission Dentistry has put together some of our top tips for dealing with fear of the dentist.

Grand Mission Dental - How to Keep Your Kids From Fearing the Dentist

1. Start Appointments When Your Child Is Young

Familiarity is the best way to keep your kids from fearing the dentist. Ideally, your child should start having regular 6-month teeth cleanings and oral exams as soon as their first tooth erupts.

If your child is familiar with the dentist early on, and you choose a friendly pediatric dentist like Dr. William Sung or Dr. Tam Nguyen, they will be much more comfortable when it’s time for their next dental appointment.

2. Don’t Use “Trigger Words” When Talking About The Dentist

Don’t use the “S” word (shot), “H” word (hurt) or “P” word (pain) with your children. You may want to be honest with them, but it’s best to avoid these words entirely.

Just let your child know that the dentist will clean their teeth, and make sure that they are nice and healthy. Use positive phrases and words to make the visit seem fun, good, and non-intimidating.

If your child does require a filling or another procedure which may involve pain, let your pediatric dentist explain it. Pediatric dentists are good at introducing dental concepts to children, and explaining them in a way that makes them seem non-threatening and painless.

3. Emphasize The Importance Of The Dentist To Your Child

Explain to your child that visiting the dentist is not a “choice”. It’s a necessity. The dentist needs to take care of their teeth so that they are healthy enough to chew, eat, and smile. If you can make it clear that a visit to the dentist is important and unavoidable, your child is much less likely to put up a fight, or fuss about their next visit.

4. Prepare For Some Fussing – And Stay By Their Side

If your child gets uncomfortable at the dentist, that’s okay. A little bit of crying or fussing is normal. It’s not strange for a child to cry, wiggle, or want to avoid being examined by a stranger.

Stay calm, and don’t overreact, or get angry at your child for not behaving properly. Pediatric dentists like Dr. Sung and Dr. Nguyen have seen it all.

Stay by their side, and follow the instructions of your pediatric dentist. They may ask that you hold your child’s hand and comfort them, or that you remain present, but at a distance.

5. Consider Sedation Dentistry For Serious Dental Anxiety

If your child cannot go to the dentist without breaking down, or has a serious fear of the dentist, they may have dental anxiety. If you think this may be the case, sedation dentistry is the best way to deal with dental visits.

There are many types of sedation dentistry, including IV sedation, oral conscious sedation, or nitrous oxide (laughing gas). They all do the same basic thing, and reduce fear and anxiety about going to the dentist.

Follow These Tips For A Stress-Free Dental Visit!

With these helpful tips, you’ll be able to keep your kids from fearing the dentist. But if your child does have serious dental anxiety, don’t worry. We’re here to help. With our expert pediatric dentists and sedation dentistry services, we can make sure that your child gets the oral treatment they need. Contact Grand Mission Dentistry to learn more about your options. Schedule an appointment now at (281) 789-8836, or come to our office at 8620 Grand Mission Blvd, Suite #E, Richmond, TX 77407.

How To Keep Your Baby’s Teeth Clean

Taking care of a baby is a lot of work, so understanding how to keep your baby’s teeth clean may not be one of your top priorities. But proper oral care is absolutely essential for children of all ages, so Grand Mission Dentistry has put together this quick guide on how to keep your baby’s teeth clean. Take a look, and ensure that your child gets the dental care that they need for a healthy mouth!

Our Top Oral Care Tips For Babies And Children

Here are the best tips for taking care of your child’s oral health.

  • You should clean your child’s mouth even before teeth erupt – Using a clean cloth, wipe down your child’s gums after feeding. This helps maintain healthy gums, and prevent bacterial infection.
  • You should start brushing when the first tooth erupts – As soon as your child begins to teethe, use a toothbrush to clean all of the currently-erupted primary teeth. You don’t have to use toothpaste until your child is about 2 years old, but you can use non-fluoridated toothpaste if you wish.
  • Use fluoridated toothpaste and a “baby brush” after 2 years of age – At this point, your child is able to spit out toothpaste, so you can start using non-fluoridated toothpaste while brushing. Use about the size of a grain of rice. You can increase this to a pea-sized amount after age 3+, when they are able to spit more effectively.
  • Visit a dentist every 6 months, as soon as the first baby tooth erupts – As soon as your child has teeth, they need to see a dentist. Usually, the first tooth will erupt at 6-12 months, so schedule an appointment with Grand Mission Dentistry as soon as this happens.
  • Kids can start brushing their teeth at around age 6 – but need supervision – Most dentists agree that kids should start brushing their teeth at around age 6. But you should still supervise brushing to ensure your child is actually brushing their teeth correctly.

Need more tips for pediatric oral care? Come to Grand Mission Dentistry for a pediatric appointment today!

What Should I Do If My Child Has A Cavity?

Even if you do take the proper steps to clean your child’s teeth, they may develop a cavity. In infants and young children, this can be difficult to treat. Fillings may be required for advanced tooth decay, but the best treatment is usually Silver Diamine Fluoride.

Silver diamine fluoride consists of silver, a powerful antibiotic agent, and fluoride, which helps build up teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay. This FDA-approved antibiotic liquid is applied directly to the site of tooth decay, and allowed to “cure” for 2 minutes.

This arrests the progression of tooth decay, often eliminating the need for a filling. Silver diamine fluoride is absolutely painless, prevents cavities effectively, and helps relieve issues like tooth sensitivity in children, so it’s the best treatment for tooth decay in babies and children.

Need A Pediatric Dentist In Richmond? Come To Grand Mission Dentistry Today!

Whether your child needs treatment for tooth decay, or you’re simply interested in finding a new pediatric dentist, Grand Mission Dentistry is the place for you. Dr. William Sung and Dr. Tam Nguyen have decades of combined experience treating children, and our past patient testimonials speak for themselves.

Schedule an appointment for your child now at (281) 719-9188, or visit our office at 8620 Grand Mission Blvd, Suite #E, Richmond, TX 77407.