Does it really matter whether or not our family members all go to the dentist? As a mom of young children and a dentist, I am somewhat of an expert on this topic.
Honestly, I know from experience how busy and chaotic life can feel. In modern times, our lives are full of activities and appointments. Thus dental appointments may feel like one more stressor on our busy calendars.
Even so, families need to prioritize dental care.
Here I explain why young parents should find a great dentist for your families:
Model Positive Vibes to Your Children
Dental anxiety is a common reason adults avoid the dentist. Sadly, many adults who have anxiety about dental appointments had a bad experience with a dentist as a child.
With modern dentistry, we make dentistry a comfortable, pain free experience.
The earlier you introduce your child to the dentist and dental hygienist, the more likely she is to have a positive feeling about dental care. At our office, young patients often love visiting the dentist.
Also, children benefit from coming to the dentist with their parent.
At Cranford Dental, parents often bring their child with them to a cleaning visit, where he can see Mom or Dad having a happy time. In fact, showing your child that going to the dentist is pleasant will help set him up for a lifetime of dental appointments that aren’t mentally and physically overwhelming.
Dr. Robinson on WRHI: Yes Children Need a Family Dentist
Be Prepared in Case of Emergency
You never know when a dental emergency will occur.
My own daughter had an accident where she broke her front teeth.
If you do not have an established dental office for your family, you may have a difficult time finding someone to you or your child in an emergency. If an emergency occurs on a weekend, you will need to call your child’s dentist for advice on how to handle the emergency.
In a stressful situation, you will want to go to a familiar office to a dentist you know. And you should know right away who to call– the dentist your family member has seen before!
Reinforce Healthy Dental Habits
It is important for children to brush their teeth twice a day; but from my own experience, I know what a challenge that can be!
To be honest, my 3 year old does not like having her teeth brushed.
But I noticed that after a recent dental hygiene appointment with Betsy, she was much more excited about tooth brushing time. Betsy gave her a new toothbrush and talked to her about the importance (and fun!) of brushing.
Sometimes having another “authority” like a dentist or a hygienist talk to your child about brushing and snacking habits will help reinforce the healthy things you want to do at home.
For example, my nephew stopped sucking his thumb “cold turkey” after I, his dentist, kindly told him it could mess up his teeth. His mother had been trying for weeks to get him to stop!
You may also learn things at the child’s dental appointment that you didn’t know before– (like that Goldfish crackers are as likely to cause cavities as candy is!)
Address Problems Before they Progress
The sooner we find a dental problem, the simpler it is for the dentist to fix.
For example, a very small cavity can be treated with a conservative white filling, while a very large cavity may need a pulpotomy and crown. The smaller the cavity, the quicker and easier it is to fix!
Seeing your dentist routinely will help prevent dental problems, and will help with early diagnosis of dental problems that do occur.
In addition, finding a cavity in a young child may be an opportunity to recommend changes at home to prevent other cavities and problems from occurring.
Finally, routine dental visits make for easier cleanings.
Both children and adults develop dental calculus/tartar. With routine cleanings, less tartar buildup occurs; thus cleanings are quicker and simpler.
If you go a long time between visits, more tartar builds up. Therefore the cleaning will be more extensive.
Plan for the Future
Dental Planning for Children
Your dentist checks for decay and gum problems, but also looks at your child’s growth and development. Of course, it is good for the dentist to have records about how things are changing between visits.
Is the child losing teeth at the appropriate times? Is the spacing between teeth adequate for growth? Are the jaws and airways developing as they should?
Finding any issues with development at a young age can make it easier to have those issues addressed. Your dentist will recommend if and when your child should see an orthodontist.
Dental Planning for Adults
Dentists need to see adult patients on a regular basis to help them keep up with their preventive dental plan. We want to plan to avoid problems rather than plan to fix them.
For patients who begin an extensive cosmetic plan, it is important to keep up with appointments to keep the plan on track.
Set Young Children up for Healthy Teeth
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends that all children have an established dental home as soon as their first teeth erupt, or by age 1.
Dental health at a young age helps set children up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Many habits that lead to dental problems start when kids are very young. Finding a dentist that your child loves and that you trust is a great way to give him a head start to a healthy future.
Families in Rock Hill, South Carolina
We love treating young families at Cranford Dental. As a multi-generational practice, it has been very rewarding to see children we treated at a young age grow up to be adults with healthy teeth and gums.
Dr. Elizabeth Cranford Robinson
Many of our staff members have or had young children of their own. In fact, our staff children range from one year to forty. Understandably, we like helping adults and children of all ages feel welcome and comfortable.
Call or text 803-324-7670 if you need information on bringing your family to Cranford Dental for dental care. Or make an appointment online.
We love to welcome new patient families to our dental office in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
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