5 Tips for Getting Your Reluctant Kids to the Dentist

Do you have a hard time getting your kids to the dentist? Well, you are certainly not alone.

It is actually very common for children to experience a fear of visiting the dentist.

Our Top 5 Tips to Help Your Child Through a Dental Visit

While fear of dentists can spring up for many reasons, science has found that a child’s fear is often a result of a parent’s own dental anxieties. This is why it is important for parents to take steps to neutralize these fears so the child can move past them.

Here are some tips to help make an anxious child’s dental visit a breeze.

1. Give Advanced Notice

Before the big day, be sure to give your child an advanced warning that a dental visit is coming up.

Children thrive on predictability and giving them plenty of warning will allow them the time that they need to process any anxiety or ask you any questions they may have.

2. Be Honest and Straightforward

If your child has questions, try to answer them honestly. At the same time, also try not to overwhelm an anxious child with too much information, as this will only heighten their distress.

Whatever you do, never lie to a child to try to soften the blow, this will only make them more distrustful of experiences in the future, and they might not take you at your word in the future.

3. Bring Along a Favourite Toy or Comfort Object

Having a familiar toy can do a lot to comfort a child and help lessen anxiety and stress.

In addition, by associating the experience with a beloved object, the child is likely to be less fearful and hold more positive associations of the experience.

4. Stay Calm and Relaxed

It can be difficult to remain composed when your child is upset or in distress, but if they throw a tantrum at the dentist office, it is important to try to remain as relaxed and collected as possible.

If you become agitated, the child is likely to sense your anxiety and they will believe that their own fear is justified. Remaining calm will demonstrate to a nervous child that there is nothing to fear.

5. Trust Your Dentist

Remember that your dentist is a qualified professional who is here to help. They deal with children on a daily basis and are well informed as to how do to handle a fearful child.

And, don’t be afraid to ask your dentist for their advice.

We Are Highly Experienced in Pediatric Dentistry and We’re Happy To Help Teach Little Ones About Proper Dental Care

Here at Pickering Square Dental, we understand how hard it can be to get your little ones into the dentist office. That’s why we are here to help. We have a full staff of qualified professionals who are here to guide you through every step of the process.

To learn more, come and check us out in person, contact us online, or give us a call at 905.420.1777

 

Guide to Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Experts recommend that a child’s first dental visit should be by the age of 1 or within 6 months after his or her first tooth comes in. Some dentists recommend that a child should see a dentist for the first time by their first birthday – with two-time annual dental check-ups. For toddlers, the first trip to the dentist might be a scary thing. Be sure that loud noises, new faces and strange instruments can make your child upset. Here are some things you need to do before your child’s first trip to the dentist. 

Health Information
It is best that you provide your child’s dentist with all of the medical conditions of your child, or if he or she is taking any medication. You should also keep your paediatrician’s contact information should the dentist need additional health information. If your child has a sucking habit, inform the dentist too, as that habit might affect your child’s teeth and jaws. 

Orientation
It’s important to have a talk with your child as to what will happen. It’s best to practice brushing with your child before going to the dentist’s office, so that your child will be used to having a toothbrush in his or her mouth. 

The First Visit
The actual visit is going to be short and informal. The dentist will want to meet and greet the child for the first time, and to build some level of trust. Depending on your child’s age and comfort level, the parents might be asked to hold the child while the dentist looks around his or her mouth. The parents might also be asked to sit in the waiting room so the toddler can have some quality time with the dentist and staff on his or her own. 

Schedule
The dentist will let you know when the next visit will be and this will be based on how your toddler’s teeth look. It is important not to miss out on your dentist’s appointment especially with your kids. 

Dr. Lean and the team are keen on providing comfortable dental services to both kids and adults. Contact us today if your kid needs to have his or her first dental visit. See you soon!

How to Convince Your Children to Brush Their Teeth

If adults, who are aware of the importance of brushing their teeth still forget to do so, what more can you expect from children? Parents are supposed to brush their kids’ teeth until they turn 7. It might not be the most pleasurable experience – children might detest the act and it gets messy – but it is essential.

The Best Approach
When you are teaching the little ones about brushing their teeth, you should start with yourself. Make sure that you brush your own teeth in front of them without any implications. You are giving a subliminal message to your kid that it’s something that should be done on a regular basis. Yes, you have to be the role model. Just like with any daily routine, you have to let your kids know that brushing their teeth is a fun thing to do. Even as your child gets older, make it a habit that your child will sure to bring in adulthood.

Toothpaste IS Optional
Toothpaste can make children want go gag or spit – it definitely makes things messier – and brushing might seem like a chore to them instead of something fun. Don’t let toothpaste hinder your children from wanting to brush their teeth. If they don’t like the taste of toothpaste try different brands and flavours or, just make sure you let them hold their toothbrush and brush away, in the right manner, of course.

Use the Mirror
When you’re teaching your children how to brush, make sure you are both standing in front of a mirror. You cannot really train your child if you have him or her sit on the toilet as you train him or her. Stand beside your kid while he or she brushes his or her teeth, or if his or her age still needs assistance then assist him or her.

Prioritize Brushing
Don’t fit teeth brushing into your busy schedule. When your child sees that you are doing this, he or she might get the notion that brushing the teeth is more of an afterthought – something done as quickly as possible. Let  your child understand that their oral health is a priority.

Family Activity
Eating together is considered as a family activity. You can do the same with brushing your teeth. After a meal, your whole family can gather in the bathroom to brush your teeth at the same time. When you have younger kids, this will be beneficial to them – seeing both their parents and older siblings brush their teeth. You can even try to make it fun by letting one parent brush the other parent’s teeth, or let your child brush your teeth and vice-versa!

Be Positive
Threatening your child to brush his or her teeth might be the worst thing you can do. Don’t say silly things such as they will get punishment from the dentist of they don’t brush their teeth. Brushing their teeth, as well as going to the dentist, should be positive lifelong habits.

Dental Health Resolutions for the New Year

The New Year is a time for renewal, not just of our calendars, but of our lives.  It’s an opportunity to start fresh, yet again, and live a better and healthier life with a new set of guidelines.  If you’re like many people you don’t take care of your teeth as well as you should so January 1st represents a great time to make a change towards better dental health.  Here are some teeth-friendly resolutions you should consider sticking to this year.

Brush up on The Basics

You should brush three times a day and floss daily and if you stick to those basics that’s a lot of preventative maintenance done for your teeth right there.  If flossing has been too much of a hassle for you traditionally consider floss picks or interdental brushes as an alternative.

Get Your Teeth Whiter

You look in the mirror and your teeth are ruddier or more yellow than you’d like.  You can address that with a trip to the dentist.

Get Those Imperfections Fixed

Maybe you have a chip or a crack that doesn’t really bother you, except when you see it in the mirror.  Make the time this year to get those problems taken care of.  Keeping your smile bright and without glaring flaws can be a big boost for your self-esteem.

Teach Your Kids

You know you need to pass on good hygiene habits to the little ones so this is the year to do it.  Take the time to show them how to brush and floss properly and explain the reasons why it’s important.

See Your Dentist More Often

Maybe 2015 has been a busy year, perhaps with the New Year and January around the corner… it’s a great time to get back on schedule to make sure little problems don’t become big ones.  Even a quick dental cleaning can save you a lot in pain and bills down the road.  Make this year the year you start taking really great care of your teeth. 

As a reminder, a majority of dental insured patients has an annual renewal of their dental benefits January 1st.  If you’re one of our patients fortunate enough to have benefits, remember, unused benefits do not get carried forward, they’re lost forever.  If you have any issues or questions about your dental benefits and want some guidance contact us at Pickering Square Dental today.

Tips for Teaching Your Kids Dental Hygiene

We all know how important keeping our teeth clean and healthy is.  Preventative maintenance like brushing and flossing prevents cavities, gum disease, and a whole lot of pain later.  As a result proper care is a critical lesson that needs to be passed on to the next generation.  As a parent that responsibility will fall to you but there are some great methods to help your kids get on board with dental hygiene.

Be a Role Model

Children learn from what we do and they want to be like mom and dad.  If they see you brushing and flossing every day that’s what they’ll want to do too.  Encourage that by brushing with them and making sure they see the care and effort you put in to making your own teeth look great.

Teach Them

Take the time to show proper technique.  Impart important lessons like using the right amount of tooth paste (a pea-sized dab will do) and brushing gently back and forth and then angling the brush along the gums and chewing surfaces of the teeth.  Show them how to brush the pesky inner sides of the teeth and the fun part – brushing their tongue!  At around age four food can start getting stuck in children’s teeth and you may have to start flossing for them.  By around age eight they’ll be able to floss themselves so make sure they’re aware of proper technique – regardless of the inter-dental instrument your family chooses.

Explain the Importance

As they enter school-age it’s going to be time to teach them why they brush their teeth.  Teach them about gingivitis and gum disease and all the unpleasantness that can result from a lack of proper dental care.  They’ll be learning some of this in school as well and you should reinforce those lessons at home.  If the message isn’t quite getting through take a look at some pictures online of where teeth can end up if they’re not cared for and decide if you want to show your child – it might just frighten them into action.

Teaching your children dental hygiene is critical and you should use all the tools you can to impart to them the wisdom of brushing, flossing, and regular trips to the dentist.  If you’re looking for a new dentist for you and your children Pickering Square Dental provides complete service family dentistry.  Contact us today.