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Your Little One is Nervous About the Dentist? What to Do

Does your little one seem nervous about visiting the dentist in Rancho Mirage? You can fix that situation! There are many things you can do to make your child feel less anxious about seeing the dentist for the first time. Before taking your child to the dentist, you can make the experience sound like an adventure. Here’s what to know.

Visit An Experienced Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentists know how to keep kids entertained throughout their dental visit. These dentists have experience making their young patients feel comfortable, and often have techniques for calming kids who are nervous. To ensure that your child gets off to a good start with their dentist, choose one of our experienced pediatric dentists for your child’s next dental visit.

Play Dentist With Your Child

Show your child that going to the dentist can be fun! Play dentist with your child at home. Pretend to be the dentist, checking your child’s teeth – then let your child pretend to be the dentist for you. Playing dentist with your child can make the experience seem less scary overall.

Speak Positively of the Dentist

When you come back from your dental exam in Rancho Mirage CA, say positive things about your experiences with the dentist! Tell your child how you loved getting your teeth cleaned, because you love the way your teeth feel afterwards. If you like your dentist personally, tell your child about what a nice person the dentist is. By telling your children these little things, you can help them feel more comfortable.

Read Picture Books About Dentists

There are many picture books about dentists. Read some to your child to help them know what to expect from their visit!

Is your child ready to go to the dentist? To make an appointment for your child, contact us today.

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Your Child Is Afraid of the Dentist? What You Can Do

Many children are afraid of the dentist, so if your little one is nervous about their dental appointment, don’t feel bad! There are many things you can do to make your child’s trip to the dentist in Rancho Mirage CA a less frightening experience for them. By getting your child used to the dentist, making an appointment with a pediatric dentist with strategies to calm children, and by demonstrating appreciation for the dentist yourself, you can help your child adjust.

Don’t Avoid Dentist Appointments

You may feel a natural impulse to avoid dentist appointments when your child is afraid to go. Putting off a trip to the dentist can exacerbate the problem. The longer your child goes between visits to the dentist, the harder it will be for them to adjust to a dentist appointment when the time comes.

Find the Right Dentist

Take your child to a dentist with experience offering pediatric dental services. Dentists who work frequently with children often develop strategies to calm nervous kids.

Call each potential dentist you’re considering before making an appointment with a professional you trust. When you’re calling dentists, find out how each professional makes nervous children feel better.

Ask questions like, do they allow parents into the examination room? Do they have toys in their lobby? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you make an informed decision.

Speak Highly of the Dentist

You can influence your child’s attitude toward the dentist by showing that you have a good attitude toward the dentist yourself. Tell your child about how you like the way your teeth feel clean after you go to the dentist. If you have good feelings about your dentist, share them with your child.

Is it time to make an appointment with the dentist? Call Cros Dental to make an appointment for your child today.

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What to Expect at Your Toddler’s First Visit to the Dentist

A toddler’s first dentist visit is an important step in safeguarding their oral health. As a first time parent, you might not know when to schedule your youngster’s first appointment. In addition, you might feel anxious, not knowing what to expect.

When to Go

It is recommended that parents schedule a child’s first visit with a pediatric dentist by age one or when the first tooth erupts. Book the appointment based on whichever event occurs first.

After the initial dental exam, your dentist will determine how often you should book future appointments. The general rule of thumb is twice-yearly visits spaced six months apart.

The Deal When It Comes to Pediatric Dentists

It is common for a parent to take their toddler to the same family dentist that they see. This can work well if the dentist is good with young children. Otherwise, seek a pediatric dentist who specialized in treating children.

Pediatric dentistry involves additional training focused on children and their unique developmental needs. In addition, a children’s dentist is prepared to deal with difficult, anxious, crying, squirming or otherwise unhappy or uncooperative youngsters.

Finding a Dentist You Trust

With that in mind, search for a dental office that understands the needs of the entire family. Some clinics offer weekend and evening appointments to help accommodate busy school and work schedules. Also, look for emergency dentistry options. Today, many dental offices offer convenient online booking to make managing appointments easier.

A pediatric dentist should have a comfortable, kid-friendly office environment. Look for a practice that’s decorated with little ones in mind. The dental staff should be friendly, entertaining, and patient. Every team member your child encounters should love what they do, and that dedication should shine thorough during every visit.

What to Expect at the First Appointment

The first visit will be fast and informal. Your child will be introduced to the dentist and staff. The goal is to get the child comfortable and familiar with the dental office environment. You may be encouraged to hold the youngster during the examination if the child seems anxious or fearful. But ideally, many dentists prefer that parents wait in the sitting area while they get to get acquainted with the toddler. During the exam, the dentist will look for signs of tooth decay and inspect your child’s gums, jaw alignment, and bite.

A dental hygienist may perform gentle teeth cleaning during the first visit. This depends on the child’s comfort level.

Your Toddler’s First Dentist Visit

After the first visit, have a discussion about how your child felt during the appointment. Encourage your little one to communicate their feelings by reminding them of a book that you read about going to the dentist and then asking them if they felt the same way.