Doctors and dentists may not be top of your kid's favourite people to visit, but if you want to keep them healthy and well, seeing them now and again is necessary. Both doctors and dentists can help with preventative medicine too, so it's not just a case of visiting when something is wrong.
The advice from most dental associations is that you should take your children to visit the dentist from a young age. This can help in two ways. Firstly, it will get them used to what happens in a dental clinic, the sights, sounds and smells that are typically there. Secondly, seeing a dentist from a young age ensures that your child starts getting their teeth checked early in life and may well help to identify and minimise tooth problems.
In the first instance, for example, you could take your baby or toddler along when you go for an appointment. It helps if there's another adult with you, to look after your child whilst you're having a check up, so your child can be in the same room and see what's going on. Ideally, it's best if you don't look utterly petrified at this point and instead seem calm, relaxed and portray the idea that having a dental check up is a normal part of life.
Despite all the myths and stories that may circulate, most dentists are friendly, geared up towards treating children and nothing to be scared of! David Walliams we are looking at you! Demon Dentist anyone? :)
A survey published in the British Dental Journal and carried out among five year olds in the north west of England, found that 80% of children aren't scared of the dentist and don't mind going. The research indicates that those who were anxious about visiting seemed to be gaining their anxiety from parents who weren't fond of dentists and by not attending regularly.
Have you ever seen a child look forward to visiting the dentist? We see it every day. Why? Just look around and you will see that we make visits to the dentist comfortable and interesting for kids. It starts the moment they come in the door.
We know that most children are apprehensive... even afraid of visiting the dentist. That’s why our team have dedicated themselves to making your child’s visit as comfortable and relaxing as possible.
It's not just younger children who should have regular check-ups; older children need to go too. Most dentists will recommend check ups either every six or twelve months and going regularly is a great habit to set for the rest of their lives.
Get in touch today to see how Artiste Studios - L'Orthodontiste can help set your child on the path to a lifetime of good dental care!