As parents, it’s natural to want the best for your kids, health-wise and in other aspects. Maintaining your child’s dental health is very important especially when they’re young. This is to prevent dental issues from arising as they grow older. Not all pediatric dentists will be right for your kids so how do you choose the right one? By asking the right questions on your first visit. The more you know about your potential pediatric dentist would give you peace of mind knowing that your child is in good hands.
Top 5 Questions To Ask A Pediatric Dentist
- Should I Have Any Expectations On Our First Dental Visit?
On your child’s first dental visit which should be six months after he/she starts developing baby teeth, the pediatric dentist would do some basic checkups on the teeth, jaws, and gum. The teeth or gum would be cleaned with some dental tools and checked for any abnormalities. The pediatric dentist would then apply fluoride varnish which gives protection to your child’s teeth. Every question you have concerning your child’s oral health should be addressed by a good pediatric dentist to make sure you or your child aren’t anxious about future dental visits.
- Is There A Type Of Toothpaste I Should Avoid For My Kids?
Your pediatric dentist would advise you against using toothpaste with fluoride because at age 1-3 years old, your child would not know how to spit out toothpaste. You would also learn that when your child is really young, his/her baby teeth should be cleaned with a wet cloth to prevent plagues. However, when they begin to develop more teeth, you can now supervise them when brushing with fluoride-free toothpaste as soon as your child can spit out toothpaste after brushing. At age 5-6 years old, you can now switch to toothpaste with fluoride present.
- Will X-Rays Be Safe For My Kids?
Too much radiation exposure is not safe for kids or even adults. However, x-rays are essential sometimes to detect dental issues. The pediatric dentist should inform you about the radiographic equipment they use and how it would benefit instead of causing potential harm to your kids. There is also modern technology that can reduce the amount of radiation that your child is exposed to so inquire if such is available.
- Would Sedation Be Harmful To My Children?
Some kids get anxious when on a dental visit which is normal because even adults need to be sedated sometimes to calm their nerves and allow the dentist to work. Anxiety might cause the child to start fussing and resisting treatment so sedation would be used to calm them down. However, a good pediatric dentist would inform you about the types of sedatives they use and why it’s safe for your little one.
- Is Pulling Out A Loose Baby Tooth Harmful?
Pulling out a loose baby tooth might seem like a good way to end your child’s discomfort. However, a good pediatric dentist would let you know that it’s not safe and just because it’s loose doesn’t mean that pulling it out would not harm your child. Children might unknowingly try to pull out a loose tooth but teach them to know it’ll damage tissue and cause them severe pain.
Every concern you have as a parent regarding the dental well-being of your child is justified and should be addressed accordingly by a good pediatric dentist. On your first visit to a pediatric dentist, ask these questions to gain enough insight into how knowledgeable they are and how they operate.
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