Pediatric dental checkups are extremely important. Cavities are the most common disease in children. Kids dental checkups are one of the keys to preventing cavities. There are several things that you should do in order to make sure that you get the most out of a dental checkup.
Plan Ahead of Time
The weeks before school starts are typically the busiest time of the year. Ideally, you will want to schedule kids dental checkup several weeks before school starts. If you did not have a chance to schedule a dental appointment before school starts, then you may want to wait until a few weeks after school has started to schedule an appointment.
Encourage Good Dental Habits at Home
It is extremely important to take care of kids teeth at home. Make sure that your children brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day. Keep in mind that children who are under the age of 6 may not have the fine motor skills needed in order to brush their teeth properly. That is why it is important to supervise them.
Make Sure Your Children eat Before the Appointment
It is a good idea to give your child a light snack before the dental appointment. Children have a tendency to be grouchy when they are hungry.
Stay Calm
Many adults get nervous before pediatric dental checkups. If you are nervous about the dental appointment, then your child will likely be able to pick up on that. They will likely get nervous. That is why it is important to stay calm.
Don't Lose Your Cool if Your Child Gets Agitated
Many parents lose their cool when their child starts to act up in the dentist chair. Their first instinct is to pick their child up and leave. However, you should try to help them get through the visit. You and your dentist can work together to keep the child calm. If you leave, then the next dental visit will be a lot harder.
Take a Business Card
An accident can happen at any time. Kids teeth can be hurt during gym class, while playing a sport or walking down the street. That is why it is important to have the contact information of the emergency dentist. You can take business cards with you when you leave the office. You should keep these business cards in your wallet and your child's backpack.