When you choose a dentist for your child, you need to be able to look at going to the dentist from the point of view of a child. Anything you can do to help your child feel more comfortable at the dentist can have an important effect on their habits of dental hygiene. While the standard dentist can perform dental work just as well as a pediatric dentist, by taking your children to a pediatric dentist, you gain an invaluable asset in helping your child learn dental hygiene.
The Waiting Room
Many dentists will have a waiting room with plush couches, a few magazines, and possibly a TV. While this might be all an adult needs to wait for their turn in the examination chair, children tend to have much more energy and curiosity. Trying to keep your children from using the furniture as a trampoline can be embarrassing and stressful for you and altercations at the dentist can leave a bad taste in your child's mouth. A pediatric dentist will have toys, games, and possibly video games. In other words, your child should be more than happy to spend time in the dentist's waiting room.
Children's Person
A people person is able to handle people, but a hygienist or dentist who is good with adults is not necessarily able to work well with children. A pediatric dentist will receive training on how to work with children as will their staff. Having a friendly ally at the dentist office can make a big impact on your child's willingness to brush and floss their teeth.
Painkillers
Even with a fun waiting room and hygienists who are good with kids, painful procedures can make your child dislike going to the dentist. A pediatric dentist should have nitrous oxide available to help children cope with painful, stressful procedures. You can have confidence that the dentist and hygienist know exactly how to administer the pain reliever so that your child is safe and comfortable.
Fear of going to the dentist can develop into a phobia with lasting repercussions. You might think that if your child is scared of going to the dentist, then they will be more willing to brush and floss their teeth. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. A positive relationship with a dentist can have a much better effect on teaching your child to care of their teeth. Not only will good habits spare your child pain, but it will help save your budget.
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