3 Great Reasons to Take Your Child to a Pediatric Dentist

Do you remember as a child when you heard all sorts of well-known reminders from your town dentist? Odds are you heard things like: make sure you brush your teeth twice a day, don’t eat too much sugar or your teeth will fall out, and always remember to floss.

As a kid, you probably got tired of hearing all those reminders. But if you’re a parent now, you’re probably trying to pass on those words of wisdom to your kids. Let’s say, for example, you’re looking for a pediatric dentist for your child’s first dentist visit. The good news is that a kid’s dentist is just that: a dentist who’s very experienced in dealing with children and helping them feel comfortable about going to the dentist on a regular basis.

If your child is in need of a trip to the dentist, particularly if you have a young child, there are many good reasons to visit a local kid’s dentist in your area.

Establishing Good Habits

You’ve likely heard the phrase “Start them when they’re young” about a lot of things. Good dental hygiene is no different. In fact, it’s recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that kids see pediatric dentists every six months for a regular checkup, which includes teeth cleaning and a check for cavities.

Younger children may not know the proper way to practice good oral hygiene and a kid’s dentist can be a great teacher. He or she can show your little one the proper way to hold a toothbrush, the proper way to brush (the ADA recommends twice a day), the right way to floss, and just about anything else they need to know.

Feeling Comfortable

Let’s face it, if you’re a parent then you know how much of a struggle it can be for kids to feel comfortable about anything. That includes going to the doctor’s office, getting a haircut, behaving in public, and countless other situations.

A dentist trip can be the same way. For a young girl or boy, it can be more than a little unnerving sitting in a big chair, looking at all kinds of dentistry tools. A kid’s dentist will take the time to make your child comfortable. They will get to know them, explain everything they’re going to do during a checkup, and they can even explain what their instruments are used for. The more your child feels comfortable about a dentist visit, the more relieved you’ll feel as a parent.

The Importance of Cleaning

Visiting a dentist for kids is also the perfect way for your child to learn the nitty-gritty details about oral health. Rather than feeling like they’re getting a lecture, your child will be excited about different cleaning techniques and how to avoid oral health issues like cavities from a dentist who’s engaging, energetic, and can really help your little one make sense of what happens inside a mouth. Sometimes kids just need to hear things from a different voice and a good kid’s dentist can be a soothing voice that makes information stick.

If you’re a parent who’s planning a trip to the dentist for your child, visit chewchew.net to learn all about the fine folks at Pediatric Dental Specialists. With locations in Chandler and Gilbert, you’ll be able to find a great children’s dentist for your son or daughter, who can teach the finer points of tooth care and get them to practice good habits at home.