Where can I find a family dentist?
As parents, we always strive to provide our children with the best possible care, including when it comes to their oral health. Regular dental appointments play a key role in maintaining healthy smiles from an early age and ensuring positive experiences at the dentist is equally important. Maybe you are looking for a dentist in Strood who understands this, caters for your personal dental needs and also provides appointments for your children? Then you need look no further than Louise Lunness-Barnes Dental Clinic. With our dentist in Strood we understand the necessity of dental care for all ages, and we know the importance of building good relationships with our patients from a young age.
The importance of children’s dental appointments
Children’s dental appointments are not solely routine check-ups, they are an essential aspect of their overall health and wellbeing. Regular dental appointments with our dentist in Strood allow for early detection and prevention of problems such as gum disease, tooth decay and misalignment, leading to healthier smiles in the long run.
Dentists can help to educate your children on proper oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing, empowering them to develop, and take responsibility for good dental habits at an appropriate age. Regular attendance at the dentist can help us monitor the growth and development of your child’s teeth and jaw, identifying any issues that may require intervention or orthodontic treatment.
At Louise Lunness-Barnes Dental Clinic we recognise that positive dental experiences in early life can lay the foundation for a lifetime of oral health care by fostering trust and confidence in dental professionals and the dental environment.
What can be expected at a child’s dental appointment?
Children’s dental appointments generally include several steps. Of course, these steps may vary from patient to patient as each person’s needs are unique.
After welcoming you and your child, our dentist will visually examine your child’s teeth, gums, and oral tissues to check for any signs of decay, inflammation, or abnormalities. Our dental practitioner may gently clean your child’s teeth before applying fluoride treatment or fissure sealants. A fluoride treatment can then be applied to help strengthen tooth enamel and protect against decay. If appropriate, fissure sealants (a thin protective coating) can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth to help prevent the development of tooth decay.
We may discern that additional treatments or investigations such as X-rays could be needed for your child. If this is the case, you will be informed of this and may be advised to book a further appointment.
Why are positive experiences so important?
Creating positive experiences at the dentist is important for promoting your child’s oral health and oral hygiene habits. Positive experiences can help to alleviate or prevent dental anxiety. By fostering a welcoming and friendly environment, our dental practitioners build trust with your children, helping them to feel safe and supported during their visits.
How can I help to promote a positive dental experience for my child?
Booking your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or as soon as their first tooth appears is a good practice to adopt as it fosters familiarity with the dental environment from a young age. You could even bring your children along with you to your appointment (if you feel confident) to help promote this familiarity.
It’s important to use positive and reassuring language when discussing dental visits with your child, even if you personally find dental care difficult. Feel free to bring along a favourite toy or book for comfort and distraction during the appointment and as an activity during your waiting time. Encouraging play at home, where your child can pretend to be the dentist, with yourself or a toy as a patient can help them understand what to expect when they come in to see us.