dental Archives - Monterey Bay Parent

Five Ways To Help Your Child Develop Healthy Oral Habits

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | January 1, 2025

It’s a New Year, and with a new year comes, for many of our kids, new teeth! February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and whether you’re a new parent or a veteran, getting your child to embrace their inner dental hygienist each day can be a challenge. Aside from a healthy diet and regular trips to the dentist, it’s all about getting them to embrace the habit!

GET OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT TO WELLNESS

According to the Center for Disease Control and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, 20% of children will have at least one cavity by age 5 and 52% by age 8. While it’s obvious to most that things like regular brushing help protect against tooth decay and other oral maladies, there is also a strong link between oral health and important developmental milestones. Kids with healthy teeth have an easier time learning proper speech articulation in their primary years, and the development of structural pathways for adult teeth is directly related to the proper care and maintenance of baby teeth throughout their lifecycle.

BUT MY KID HATES BRUSHING!

Brushing teeth is one of those things that many kids just don’t like to do. The cause can be a variety of factors, from sensitivity to brush bristles and water temperature to fine motor difficulty in manipulating the toothbrush. While the hurdles can change over time, a little creativity can go a long way.

Try some of the suggestions below to help your kiddo get into the habit of good oral care.

1. Routine is Everything. Like so many things relating to child development, making tooth time part of their daily routine promotes a fundamental feeling of safety and comfort, even if the activity itself isn’t exactly a…favorite. Making sure that brushing has the same place (and time, if possible) in their morning and evening routine will help your child accept it as part of their day. Modeling this yourself – brushing with them or brushing first – can help them understand that tooth care is something that everyone does as part of daily life.

2. Let Them Practice. If your child is too young to brush their own teeth, there’s no reason they can’t practice! While you brush, have them practice brushing on their favorite stuffed animal. This can help them master the tricky circular movement patterns associated with healthy brushing without consequence.

3. Too Hot, Too Cold, Just Right. If your child resists brushing, the problem could be discomfort. Try a toothbrush with softer bristles (your dentist can help you here), and adjust the water to a slightly lukewarm temperature instead of cold. Children’s gums, especially young ones, are more sensitive than normal to colder temperatures, especially when multiple teeth are erupting.

4. Make It Visual. Things like a clock, countdown, or some sort of visual assist can really help kids learn the proper amount of time to brush(two minutes twice a day for kids with most of their teeth). A friend of mine found a great solution in the form of a small hourglass – his son went from trying to escape the bathroom after 20 seconds to easily brushing for over two minutes while happily watching the sand drain through the glass.

5. Rock Out! Many kid’s songs are (thankfully) short, so load up a playlist of your child’s favorites and let them choose one to listen to while they brush. By the time the song is done they should be, too. It’s a great way to turn them on to your tastes in music, too. A coworker likes to flip a coin with his daughter to see who gets to choose the day’s song.

While brushing may not ever be a source of pulse-pounding excitement for your child, regular oral maintenance will help them reap the benefits of a healthy to start to their formative years.

Nurturing Smiles: Your child’s first dental visit

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | January 24, 2024

A child’s first dental visit can be a significant milestone in their life, and proper preparation is key to ensuring a positive experience.

Here are effective ways to prepare your child for their inaugural trip to the dentist, setting the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

1. Start Early. Early introduction to the concept of dental care can help alleviate anxiety. Begin talking to your child about the importance of keeping their teeth clean and healthy from a young age. Use age-appropriate language and consider incorporating books and videos that make oral hygiene fun.

2. Choose the Right Dentist. Selecting a pediatric dentist who specializes in treating children can make a significant difference in your child’s first dental experience. These professionals are trained to create a child-friendly environment, using techniques that cater specifically to the needs of young patients. Research local pediatric dentists, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from friends or your child’s pediatrician. One place to get information is the Monterey Bay Parent Facebook group.

Questions to ask when you make your first calls or in your research include whether you will be allowed to be with your child for all procedures, whether treatment rooms are private or with a group, what types of sedation are available, and whether your insurance is accepted.

3. Role Play. Before the big day, take turns playing the dentist and the patient, allowing your child to become familiar with the idea of someone looking at their teeth.

Dr. Kenji Saisho of Central Coast Pediatric Dental Group offers this advice: “Getting a child ready for their first dental visit can be a very fun experience. Practice with your child by going through an inspection of their teeth, counting teeth, brushing, and practicing brushing. There are many good videos on YouTube, both old and new, from Elmo and Barney to more modern versions. Overall, making it a fun and positive experience in preparation will make it the same in the office.”

4. Explain the Process. Demystify the dental visit by explaining each step in a positive and age-appropriate manner. Emphasize that the dentist is there to help keep their teeth healthy and strong. Use positive language.

5. Visit the Office in Advance. Familiarize your child with the dental office environment by scheduling a brief visit before the actual appointment. Allow them to explore the waiting area, meet the staff, and perhaps even sit in the dental chair. Familiarity can ease anxiety, making the actual visit less intimidating.

6. Be a Positive Role Model. Children often mimic their parents’ behavior, so maintain a positive attitude about dental visits. Share your own experiences, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups and good oral hygiene. Avoid expressing anxiety about dental procedures.

7. Bring Comfort Items. Allow your child to bring a comforting item, such as a favorite toy or blanket, to the dental appointment. Having a familiar object can provide a sense of security during the visit, helping to ease any apprehension.

Preparing your child for their first dental visit is an important step in fostering a positive attitude toward oral health. That first encounter with the dentist can pave the way for a lifetime of good oral care and healthy smiles.

Set the Stage for a Positive Dental Visit for Your Child

By Monterey Bay Parent Editors | January 27, 2020

Children’s visits to the dentist are typically a positive experience for both parents and kids alike. Still, between 9 and 15% of American adults fear going to the dentist, according to Cleveland Clinic. When parents are anxious about the dentist, that nervousness can instill fear and anxiety in their child, too.

Adults and kids may fear going to the dentist for several reasons. Cleveland Clinic explains that perhaps the adult or child had a negative experience at the dentist or has heard horror stories that exaggerate their fears. Fear of pain is the most common cause of anxiety. While some people also worry about the effectiveness or side effects of anesthesia or have a fear of needles.

A negative experience at the dentist as a child can result in continued anxiety over routine dental care into adulthood. So, learn how to prepare for your child’s first and subsequent visits to the dentist to ensure a positive, successful experience. This will help pave the road to a lifelong devotion to receiving routine dental care on a consistent basis as your child grows.

Your child and the dentist – building a positive relationship early on

The earlier your child begins going to the dentist, the better. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first visit should be by the time your child turns one or within 6 months of when the first tooth erupts. At this stage, your child’s visit will be quick, simple, and pain-free. Providing your child with early positive experiences will help your child develop trust in the dentist.

Depending on your child’s age and the dental office policies, many dentists will ask you to remain in the lobby during your child’s checkup. Typically, this is recommended for children over the age of 3. There’s a good reason for this. Separating a child from parents usually results in fuller cooperation from children. This can go a long way toward a more positive experience for your child.

When your child is placed in the care of the dental staff, they’ll try to make your child’s first experience fun and informative. The dentist will explain and demonstrate routine procedures to your child and then perform those procedures. Your child quickly learns the dentist is someone to trust.

Down the road, if your child needs non-routine dental work, the dentist will work with your child in a similar fashion to help alleviate fears.

If you’re still concerned with sending your child in alone, call and ask to speak with the dentist or hygienist. Avoid causing your child alarm, and make the call in private so your child doesn’t pick up on your anxiety. Explain your specific concerns so the dentist can address and alleviate your worries.

Approaching scared or uncooperative children

For a variety of reasons, some children become fearful or uncooperative during a visit to the dentist. If your child arrives unprepared or senses your anxiety, your child may develop undue worry. A previous experience could also cause stress. Children who are ill or have a physical or mental disability, a behavioral disorder, or developmental delay may also be challenging to treat. Whatever the reason, the way your dentist handles your child’s fears and behavior is vital to your child’s emotional well being and ability to cope with future visits.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has developed guidelines for behavior management that dentists should follow. Your dentist should use the communication techniques learned in dental school, including positive reinforcement, distraction, voice control, non-verbal communication, and the tell-show-do approach.

These techniques all help reassure patients and gain their trust. In most cases, these approaches are sufficient, leading to visits that end on a positive note. If a practitioner lacks the expertise for handling a situation, your child should be referred to a dentist with the appropriate skills.

Prevent an experience that heightens your child’s fears by being proactive

Contact your state’s board of dentistry when choosing a practitioner to make sure no disciplinary actions have been taken.

Inform your dentist of any medical, behavior, or other conditions that might affect your child’s visit. That way the dentist can communicate with the child accordingly.

Pediatric dentists have specialized training for dealing with situations that can arise with children. If you suspect your child may have difficulty with dental visits, seek a pediatric dentist.

Six tips to get your child off on the right track

1. Tell your child about the benefits of going to the dentist to help keep their teeth strong and healthy and so they’ll have a nice smile.

2. Read to your child before their first visit to the dentist. Try one of the following: Why We Go to the Dentist by Rosalyn Clark; The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain; Celebrate! Going to the Dentist by Sophia Day; Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig) by Scholastic; Curious George Visits the Dentist by H.A. Rey

Also, express positive feelings about your own dental experiences. Don’t discuss non-routine procedures such as fillings. Explain to your child the basic procedures your child will undergo. For example, the dentist will count your child’s teeth and look at them with a tiny mirror. Avoid frightening terminology.

As your child grows, if you have concern over a possible cavity, don’t give your child too much information. This can result in undue anxiety. Your dentist should have the experience and expertise to talk to your child about such procedures in a manner that alleviates any anxiety your child might experience.

If your child is anxious, don’t try to soothe your child by lying about a procedure or possible pain. Instead, try to alleviate fears that may be out of proportion to the situation.

Finally, offer coping strategies to your child. Have your child practice taking long deep breaths. If you know you’ll be attending your child throughout the procedure (speak to your dentist first to confirm this), you can offer your hand to squeeze.

KIMBERLY BLAKER is a freelance parenting and lifestyle writer. She also writes content and blog posts for businesses. Find her at kimberlyblaker.com