These emotions are normal for parents who haven’t brought their child to the dentist before. But, the good news is that this critical milestone is on your radar, and you are taking the proper steps to prepare so that your child’s first dental appointment goes as smoothly as possible.

Don’t delay your child’s first dental appointment.

Early dental appointments are vital in ensuring your baby’s smile is healthy and that their oral development is on the right track. The American Dental Association, and the team at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry, recommend that your child have their first dental appointment by age one or as soon as their first tooth appears. So what can you do to help ensure your child’s first dental appointment goes as swimmingly as possible? Read on for some easy tips.

1. Prepare your own mindset.

Little kids pay attention to what their parents say and do. So, if you are feeling any dental anxiety or apprehension about your child’s first dental appointment, be sure to express those feelings when your child is out of sight and earshot. If your child picks up on your dental anxiety, they are more likely to experience it too. Read up on what to expect during your child’s first dental appointment so that you can answer any questions your child might have. Knowing what to expect can also help ease your own concerns. 

But most importantly, remember that by bringing your child to the dentist early, you are taking the most critical step in protecting their oral health. And the team at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry has been in the dental business for years. We’re professionals at working with kids (and parents) and making sure their visit is comfortable and enjoyable. 

Finally, remember that the first visit is usually short and straightforward. We’ll take a look at your child’s mouth to determine if a cleaning is needed. And, we’ll ensure there is plenty of time for you to ask us any questions you have.

2. Talk to your child ahead of time. 

While it might be a bit harder to tell your baby that they are going to the dentist, if you have waited, and your child is a bit older, be sure to spend some time talking to them about what to expect. Make sure your child knows that you will be with them the entire time. And, be sure to keep it simple. Avoid using words such as “pain,” “scary,” “hurt,” or “shot.” Instead, show enthusiasm and talk to your child about the importance of a healthy smile and how their pediatric dentist is a trusted adult.

3. Be prepared with your child’s medical records.

Dentists can make a much more informed decision about any dental treatments your child might need if they have broader visibility into your child’s overall health. Be sure to bring along any medical records and make a list of any questions you want to ask at your child’s first dental appointment. If your child’s pediatric dentist in Vancouver, Washington, notices anything out of the ordinary, they can refer you back to your child’s physician as appropriate.

4. Participate in some dental-themed activities.

Children of all ages enjoy watching videos of their favorite characters, learning new songs, or playing fun games. So, get into the spirit of preparing for your child’s first dental appointment by participating in some dental-themed activities. 

For example, have your child brush their teeth (or brush their teeth for them) to the tune of a tooth-friendly song. Two of our favorites are the “Tooth Brushing Song” by Blippi and Barney’s “Brushing My Teeth” song. Or read your child some books about oral health. Little kids will especially enjoy “Daniel Goes to the Dentist” and “The Tooth Book” by Dr. Seuss. And if a game is more up your child’s alley, try Hasbro’s Crocodile Dentist Game.

5. Offer your child a tooth-friendly reward for a successful first dental appointment.

Kids love little snacks and trinkets. And going to the dentist is a great reason for a child to be rewarded with something a little special. These rewards don’t always need to be food items either. Consider creating a reward jar that allows your child to select an item when they behave for certain occasions. Let your child help select what will go in the reward jar too. Many of our patients add Goldfish cracker packs, stickers, bubbles, Pokemon cards, and other fun items that their children will be sure to enjoy.  

Schedule your child’s first dental appointment with Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry. 

Whether you are scheduling your child’s first dental appointment or you are looking for a new pediatric dentist, we’re confident that Dr. Mo and Dr. G are two of the best kids’ dentists in the Vancouver, Washington, area. The truth is, we love kids and aim to be the best pediatric dentists anywhere! 

And when it comes to taking your kid to the dentist, you should understand the benefits of visiting a pediatric dentist vs. making a trip to your own general dentist. We’re trained to work with kids and know many tricks to make them feel comfortable. So, request an appointment today, and we’ll look forward to seeing you and your child real soon.

Parents: Why is it important to take your child to the dentist? How can you prepare for your toddler’s first dental appointment? And what’s special about Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry? Here’s everything you need to know about taking your child to the dentist.

Why It’s Important to Take Your Child to the Dentist

While many parents make an extra effort to care for their child’s teeth, initial signs of oral developmental issues aren’t always visible to the naked eye. A professional dentist has the right tools and experience to perform a comprehensive exam of your child’s teeth and gums to make sure they are developing properly. By catching any oral health issues early (crooked teeth, bite alignment, and missing teeth), your pediatric dentist will have a better chance at getting your child’s dental health back on track. Sure, your child will eventually lose their milk teeth one day—but while they’re still here, it’s important that we take good care of them. Kids who get cavities in their baby teeth have a greater risk of developing cavities in permanent teeth as well, which, if left untreated, can lead to toothache, infection, and eventually tooth loss.

When should your child visit the dentist?

A good rule of thumb here is: first tooth, first birthday, first dental appointment. Schedule your child’s dental appointment around the time the first tooth breaks through the gumline or as soon as your child turns 1 year old, whichever happens first. It might seem too soon, but taking your child to the dentist early will make a world of difference to the way your child cares for their smile as they continue to grow. A pediatric dentist will educate both you and your child on the proper way to brush and floss, building the foundation of a proactive approach to dental care and helping your child to get used to the idea of taking care of their teeth and gums.

What’s special about the Must Love Kids pediatric dental practice?

The name of our dental practice defines the philosophy of our practice: Must Love Kids! Dr. Mo and Dr. G’s passion to help and work with children comes naturally to them. You’ll notice it in their use of needle-free numbing and laser dentistry to maximize your child’s comfort; how they explain dental treatments with words your child understands, talking your child through the procedure step-by-step before starting it; and the way our entire front office is built for comfort—a parent’s lounge with two large touchscreen tablets, free high-speed Wi-Fi, free gourmet coffee, and a variety of tea. We also have a second lounge equipped with all the latest entertainment, as well as an iPad station for kids. You will be pleasantly surprised at every corner and may even forget that you’re in a dental office! This is why Must Love Kids should be your number one choice for pediatric dentistry in Vancouver.

Why prepare your child for their first dental appointment?

Like everything else in life, preparation is key. For your child, this will be the first time meeting the dentist. This first trip will build the foundation for the type of relationship your child will have with the dentist, and a positive experience can help cultivate a lifelong habit of visiting the dentist. If your little one has shown any anxiety about medical checkups, start preparing them early for their dental checkups. Explain to your child who a dentist is and why it’s important to visit them (hint: it’s the first point on this post). Read books or watch videos of your child’s favorite character visiting the dentist to help your little one be less afraid of going to a strange, sterile place. You may also want to play dentist-related games with your toddler to get them comfortable with letting a “big person” put their hands in their mouth as they count and brush their teeth. That way it won’t come as a surprise when the dentist does the same thing and will make it less likely your little one’s stay will involve bribery or tantrums.

What should a parent and child expect at their first Must Love Kids dental appointment?

At Must Love Kids, we try to make your child’s visits to the dentist a positive and exciting adventure. The first dental appointment involves a relaxed review of your child’s overall dental health. You and your little one will get a chance to meet the staff, tour the office, sit in a dental chair, and have fun while visiting. Dr. Mo or Dr. G can do a comprehensive dental evaluation afterward only if your child is comfortable. Otherwise we’ll spend the rest of your visit discussing proper diets, nutrition, and good oral hygiene habits. The professional dental cleaning, fluoride therapy, and any necessary X-rays normally done during this first visit can wait until your next appointment when your child feels more relaxed and comfortable. Schedule your child’s dental appointment with us and let’s make your child’s first trip to the dentist a positive experience.

Have you ever heard the saying “the days are long, but the years are short”? Well, if you have children, you’ll probably agree with that. Time does fly by when you’re raising a little one, and in the blink of an eye, your tiny newborn has become a boisterous one-year-old. While you’re busy organizing an awesome first birthday party for them, there is something else you should remember: their first dental visit.

It might surprise you, but dentists recommend scheduling your child’s first appointment around this age. At one, most children already have a few teeth (or a lot!), and it’s crucial to look after them both at home and with regular dental visits.

This is the best way to ensure they enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile throughout their life. If you understand the importance of this but are feeling a bit apprehensive and don’t know what to expect from your child’s first dental visit, then read on. We are about to give you a lot of useful tips and information to make this milestone more exciting than daunting.

Good dental habits start at home.

First things first: to make sure your child enjoys (or at least doesn’t fear) seeing the dentist, you want to start getting them into the habit of looking after their teeth at home. At this age, this means two main things: reducing their sugar intake and brushing their teeth daily.

Try to substitute refined sugars with healthy snacks like fruits, yogurts, and oats. As toothbrushing goes, you should do your best to turn it into a fun activity. How? By singing a song (you could even make one up), reading a book about teeth, and generally using positive language and smiling a lot. Another excellent trick is to brush your teeth (or pretend to!) while they brush theirs, perhaps standing together in front of a mirror.

Toddlers are great imitators, and they tend to copy most of the stuff they see adults do. Precisely because they learn by imitating and watching grown-ups, it’s crucial that the positive language you use when talking about the dentist is backed by your own confident behavior. If you’re acting in an anxious or stressed-out way when you’re at the dentist, your child will pick it up and might end up showing the same attitude. So, lead by example, and your little one will follow suit.

Use positive language and behavior.

Before booking your kid’s first visit, you might want to check whether the practice you’ve chosen offers small tours. If you opt for a pediatric dentist, chances are they will be happy to accommodate this request. Pediatric dentists specialize in infant dental care and are specifically trained to deal with babies and young children.

A quick visit to the practice can be helpful to allow your child to feel comfortable and familiar with the environment and people before they are actually seen by a dentist. Check with your dentist that this can be done, especially in light of the current COVID-19 restrictions.

Once you are at the practice, point out things like pictures on the wall, couches, or colorful objects your child might find interesting. When you both get home, keep talking to your child about the dentist’s office. Highlight how “cool” and fun it was to sit on that big, comfy chair and how beautiful the pictures on the walls were. Use assertive words like “brave,” “good,” and “strong,” and remind them how exciting it is that they will soon have their pearly whites looked after.

If you opt for this tactic, you will want to book your kid’s visit fairly soon after their little tour. The memory of a young child is not well developed yet, and if you let weeks or months go by, they will forget all about the dentist.

And if you choose a pediatric dentist like Must Love Kids, you can expect this tour to be fun and playful, full of smiles and little games that will make your child feel entertained and relaxed.

What happens on the day of the appointment?

Now, for the real deal: your baby’s first dental visit. Before delving into what to expect on the day, let’s linger a bit more on the emotional aspect. The night before the appointment, when you’re brushing your teeth with your child, keep reminding them about their upcoming visit. Smile, act excited, and tell them how much you’re looking forward to it.

Make sure you schedule the visit for a time when your kid is normally awake and not hungry: mid-morning usually works great for most. Invite your little one to bring along a favorite toy or book (or both!) and play some nice music during your car journey. It’s very important to keep them calm, confident, and content in the lead-up to their appointment.

Once you have arrived at the practice, you could start asking your child if they remember the place. Remind them of the colorful pictures on the wall and the cool couch. Make them laugh and try to instill feelings of ease and confidence.

The actual checkup will likely be very relaxed and consist of the dentist talking to you about general dental care and hygiene for your child. If you have any specific questions or concerns, it’s a good idea to bring them up now. The dentist will then try to chat a bit with your little one, keeping it laid-back and enjoyable. They will explain that they will need to take a quick peek at their pearly whites to make sure everything looks good. Depending on how old your child is, the rest of the checkup will involve gently brushing and flossing their teeth (for younger toddlers) or adding a little extra such as X-rays (if your child is a bit older). Very young kids will be able to sit on the parent’s lap for the whole checkup to make them feel more at ease.

In general, you should expect the visit to last anything from 15 to 30–45 minutes. As a rule of thumb, the younger your child is, the shorter the appointment will be. Babies and young toddlers tend to get grizzly and impatient very quickly, and they might not be up for sitting still for long periods of time.

Turn your baby’s first dental visit into the beginning of an exciting adventure.

Remember that your work is not done once the appointment is over. If you want to foster good dental health for your child, you need to keep up the good work you’ve done so far. This means continuing to look after their teeth at home, preparing them nutritious and healthy meals and snacks, and scheduling regular dental checkups.

If you have a young kid and haven’t booked their first dental visit yet, don’t wait any longer. With the tips and tricks in this article, you can turn this into an exciting experience. Call us to schedule their friendly, relaxed appointment today!

You bought the diapers and read all the parenting books. Between the steps to take and decisions to make, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when tracking your baby’s milestones, including scheduling their first dental appointment.

Should you wait until that first pearly white pops up before taking them in? Should you brush their gums at home or will that irritate the gums? It’s natural to be a little confused, especially when there is so much conflicting information available.

Today, we’re here to set the record straight and help you breathe a little easier. We’ll discuss when to book that first visit, what to expect when you arrive, and simple steps you can take at home to help instill great dental habits in your pint-sized pal!

Scheduling Your Baby’s First Dental Appointment

There are only two dates to remember when it comes to scheduling your baby’s first dental checkup. You should plan to attend that initial visit either:

• Within six months of their first tooth eruption or
• By their first birthday

If you have any specific concerns about your baby’s teeth, you’re welcome to bring them in earlier to meet with our team and discuss your questions.

Why do you need to visit the dentist for such a tiny tooth, especially when it will eventually fall out?

The answer lies in the important role that those early teeth play. Your child’s primary teeth are just as important as their adult teeth. When these teeth are strong and healthy, they aid in proper speech development, as well as chewing. In addition, they serve as valuable placeholders for their permanent teeth, which are growing right under the gums.

What to Expect at That First Dental Visit

No, we won’t be offering any whitening treatments or talking about braces just yet!

Rather, our pediatric dentists will use this time to introduce your child to our dental office in a friendly and relaxing manner. We want to help establish a lifetime of enjoyable dentist visits, and this is an important opportunity for us to make that connection.

During your baby’s first visit, the dentist will focus on acclimating your family to our facility. Once we’ve gathered all the required information on their dental and medical health, we’ll allow them to meet our team members, tour the office and even sit in the special dental chair.

If your child is relaxed and feeling comfortable, we can also provide a comprehensive dental exam at this time.

If they’re very young, we realize they may be hesitant to leave your arms, and that’s totally OK! We perform this first exam by allowing you to hold your baby in your lap using a technique called “Knee-to-Knee”. We’ll also show you how this same position can be great for brushing your baby’s teeth at home.

Depending on your baby’s age and needs, this first exam may include a professional dental cleaning. We can also perform fluoride therapy and take any required X-rays, though these can wait until a subsequent visit if your child isn’t comfortable or ready.

Before you leave, we’ll also share helpful tips on diet and nutrition that can aid in good oral hygiene.

How to Prepare for Your First Appointment

Your baby’s first dental appointment is an important step. It helps to prepare beforehand to minimize any nerves on their part and yours!

To help them understand what’s going on, briefly explain the concept of a dentist to your child using kid-friendly terms. You may find it helpful to read children’s books about going to the dentist, such as the ones on this list. It also helps to schedule their appointment earlier in the day, when they’re more rested.

On your end, try to remain calm, positive and enthusiastic about this visit so your child can follow suit. It’s also helpful to prepare a list of questions you have for the dentist so you can bring them up when you arrive. Doing so can help you feel more prepared for the appointment and make sure all of your concerns are covered.

Practicing Oral Hygiene at Home

Scheduling regular visits with your child’s pediatric dentist is critical to ensuring a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Yet, you can’t rely on twice-yearly appointments to keep their oral hygiene in great shape.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can do your part at home. A few of the simple steps to take include the following:

• Only fill bottles with plain water, formula or breastmilk
• Use clean pacifiers
• Take away the bottle before putting your baby to bed
• Wipe their gums with a washcloth or clean, moist gauze pad after each feeding

Until they’re 2 years old, you can gently brush your child’s teeth twice daily with a child-size toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice). From the ages of 2 to 5, you can increase the amount of toothpaste to a pea-sized amount, making sure that they spit it out. Until you’re confident that your child can independently brush their teeth the proper way, it’s best to assist them with this step.

As soon as your child has two teeth that touch one another, you can also begin to gently floss their teeth twice a day.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Is it time to schedule your baby’s first dental appointment? This is an important and exciting journey, and we’d love to help guide you through it.

Our team of pediatric dentists have completed years of specialized training in this field, and are dedicated to helping your family feel at ease from the moment you step in. We understand the natural fears and hesitancies that your child might feel, and we’re ready to make the experience as enjoyable and comforting as possible.

When you’re ready, feel free to reach out to our office to make your appointment.

Healthy teeth are important no matter how young or old you are, but the methods we use to keep them that way change as we grow up.

Do you know the difference between caring for an infant’s teeth and a kindergartener’s? What about when to schedule your child’s first appointment and how to choose their dentist?

Whether this is your first child or you just want to make sure you’re on the right track, we have you covered. Read on to find out how to keep your child’s teeth healthy from infancy through middle school and beyond.

The First Visit: What to Expect

Experts recommend you start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first ones poke through. This is also when you should schedule their first appointment with a dentist, as early as one year of age and definitely before they turn two. It’s important to keep those tiny baby teeth clean, but it’s also just as important to give your child a chance to get used to a healthy oral care routine.

If your child is a bit older and still hasn’t seen the dentist, don’t feel guilty! Start helping them get used to regular dental visits by booking an appointment right away and practicing good oral hygiene at home.

Why choose a board-certified pediatric dentist?

Many parents aren’t aware that a pediatric dentist is more than a dentist who likes kids. Pediatric dentistry is a specialty that requires two to three years of extra training on top of dental school. This added experience means they’re more qualified to care for your child’s teeth than a general dentist.

Another benefit is that pediatric dental facilities are designed with kids in mind. They’re decorated with fun, bright colors and exciting themes, and the equipment is child-sized to help your kiddos feel at home.

What can you expect from your child’s first trip to a pediatric dentist? At Must Love Kids, it will be a laid-back examination of your child’s mouth and dental health so far. The primary goal is to create a positive experience where your child feels comfortable—and even has fun.

We’ll start by giving your child a tour of our office, introducing them to the team along the way. They’ll get a chance to ask questions and sit in the dental chair. We’ll also take this opportunity to talk about healthy habits at home, like brushing and flossing your teeth and eating tooth-friendly foods.

If they’re comfortable enough afterward, we’ll give them a full dental exam with a cleaning. We can also do X-rays or fluoride treatments at this time if needed. If your child is still very young, they’ll sit in your lap during the cleaning.

Our team makes sure to only use positive language to avoid creating unnecessary anxiety, avoiding terms like “pain” and “hurt.” Follow their lead to learn how to address dental cleanings in a way that helps your child stay excited about their appointments.

Brushing Teeth for Infants and Toddlers

The process of brushing your baby’s teeth looks a bit different than what you may be used to. Because their mouths are still small and delicate, it’s best to brush them with a clean, wet washcloth wrapped around your finger. You can also use a gentle finger toothbrush designed for infants. This can also help relieve some of their teething pain.

Once a small row of teeth comes in around age two, it’s time to graduate to a real toothbrush. Choose a child-sized brush with soft bristles. Soaking it in warm water for a couple of minutes ahead of time will soften them even more. Use a tiny, pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and instruct your child to spit it out, not swallow.

One of the most important parts of keeping your child’s teeth healthy in the infant and toddler years is to make sure they eat a balanced diet that isn’t high in sweets. Even infants and toddlers can experience tooth decay if they eat and drink a lot of sugar. Fruit juice, for example, isn’t required for kids’ nutrition or development, but it does contribute to cavities.

Healthy Teeth in the Pre-K and Kindergarten Years

Kids generally finish growing a full set of teeth around their third birthday, though some children take more or less time. By age four, once your child’s face has started to grow and develop more, you’ll notice gaps starting to form between their teeth. This is completely normal as their mouth prepares for their larger permanent teeth to come in.

Once your child can be trusted not to swallow it (usually around age five or six), start letting them use a kid’s fluoride mouthwash. Make sure it’s alcohol-free, as alcohol will kill the good bacteria in their mouth along with the bad.

Now that your child is old enough to sit on their own in the dental chair, you may want to consider staying in the waiting room during their appointments. Many children are happy to be “grown-up” enough to sit in the room by themselves. This also gives the dental team the opportunity to steer the appointment to give your child the best care possible.

Healthy Teeth in Elementary School

Elementary school is an exciting time for dental care because it’s when your child starts losing their baby teeth! Their front teeth will likely fall out first, between ages six and seven. The others will follow throughout the next few years, ending with the molars in the back of their mouth by age 13.

Even though it might seem early, the beginning of elementary school is the best time to schedule your child’s first orthodontic evaluation. This can help identify any problems down the road and make sure they get treatment as soon as possible.

Healthy Teeth in Middle School and Beyond

You’ve made it to the middle school years! Your child will have a full set of permanent teeth by the time they’re about 14. If they have any alignment issues, it might be time for them to get braces or another orthodontic treatment.

The middle school years are where your child begins to have more choice over the foods they eat. To make matters worse, soda and junk food companies target kids with advertising, encouraging them to make unhealthy food choices. Work hard to make sure your children know that the occasional treat is OK, but the bulk of their diet should come from foods that are good for their teeth and the rest of their bodies.

Healthy teeth are a priority at every age.

No matter how young or old you are, making sure your teeth stay in tip-top shape is important. Following the above tips for dental care can set up good habits that help your child keep their healthy teeth from preschool to adulthood.

If you’re searching for a “kids dentist near me” in Vancouver, WA, check out the board-certified pediatric dentists at Must Love Kids. We’ll help your child learn to take care of your teeth like the superhero they are.Ready to embark on the exciting adventure of building a healthy smile? Contact us today with any questions or to set up an appointment.

And now, a moment you’ve been waiting for: You get to be in charge and show your parents how to navigate taking you to a dentist appointment. You’ve been the proud owner of teeth most of your life after all, so you know some things about how to keep your smile bright and healthy. Your parents get it, too, though sometimes they need a little guidance along the way.

Because let’s face it: Your parents’ experience of the dentist is much like your parents’ experience of life before touchscreens—from another time period! Dentistry wasn’t as technologically advanced when your parents were kids, which may impact how they feel about the dentist now. In fact, your parents might even feel nervous about your dental visits, even though they’re not the ones sitting in the dentist’s chair.

The good news? If the idea of bringing you to the dentist makes your parents nervous, a little support and information can help them (and you) feel more relaxed about your next dental visit.

Get ready to show off your research skills and gather all you need to know here, in our Comprehensive Guide for Kids on Taking Their Parents to the Dentist.

What to Expect at a Dentist Appointment

People can get nervous for all kinds of reasons. It may be because they’ve had an unpleasant experience in the past or because they don’t know what to expect. Fortunately, the answer is often as simple as explaining what’s going to happen in positive language. Here’s how you can help your parents know what to expect and feel more relaxed at your next pediatric dentist appointment.

Waiting Room

Let’s start with a bonus: The waiting room at your pediatric dentist is probably cooler than the waiting room at your parents’ dentist. Get your parents excited about some “me time” in a fun and supportive environment while you’re having your teeth evaluated and cleaned.

Pro Tip: Remind your parents about their chance to enjoy comfy furniture, free wifi, TVs, tablets, and their choice of gourmet coffee or tea while you’re being taken care of by an expert team.

Digital X-rays

When your parents were kids, they probably had what’s known as “plain X-rays.” Plain X-rays are a lot like pictures taken with a film camera. While they take great images of your teeth, these images have to be developed before you can see them. On the other hand, digital X-rays are available almost immediately and give your pediatric dentist the most detailed picture of the insides of your teeth.

Fun Fact: Radiation—like sound, light, and heat—is simply moving energy. Plain dental X-rays use a very low dose of radiation (about the same amount you’re exposed to during a one- or two-hour flight). Digital X-rays use even less radiation than plain X-rays, making them a great choice for parents and kids alike.

Cleanings and Evaluations at Your Dentist Appointment

Since you love how smooth and clean your teeth feel after a dental visit, cleanings and evaluations are actually something you look forward to. Though you sometimes don’t like the scraping sound or having to spit into that tiny vacuum, you trust your pediatric dental team and know that a healthy, beautiful smile is worth a few odd sensations.

Pro Tip: If your cleanings make your parents nervous, gently remind them to bring something to do—like a book or tablet—so they’re not hovering too close while you’re having your teeth polished.

Cavity Treatments

Though you do an amazing job brushing and flossing your teeth, you understand that cavities sometimes happen. But don’t worry; you know the most important thing is heading to your pediatric dentist for a timely cavity treatment.

Fun Fact: Cavity treatment has come a long way since your parents were kids. While your parents had to have cavities filled with a drill, you get to enjoy laser dentistry. Laser dentistry removes cavities without a loud, buzzing drill and is so gentle and effective that most kids don’t even need a numbing shot before their cavity treatment. Once your cavity is filled, you won’t even see it. While your parents probably had visible silver (amalgam) fillings, you’ll get a composite filling that matches the color of your teeth and is less likely to cause tooth damage or fall out.

What to Do If You (or Your Parent) Feel Nervous at Your Dentist Appointment

Even though you love having a healthy, beautiful smile, it’s still possible to feel nervous about going to the dentist every now and then. If you do start to feel nervous, be kind to yourself and express your worries to your parents or dental hygienist. Knowing someone is there for you when you’re feeling nervous can help you feel brave and supported.

Pro Tip: You know how much it helps you to express your worries? The same thing can help your parents, too. If your parents feel nervous about your dental visit, be kind and let them express their worries about your experience because that’s what parents are for after all! The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to worry even if your parents feel nervous.

When to Ask for Help

You’ve done an amazing job preparing to take your parents to the dentist! The last thing you should know is that if you feel like you need help, you can ask your pediatric dental team.

Fun Fact: Asking for help when you need it makes you strong and brave. When you express what’s bothering you to a safe person, you help make it possible to find the right solution.

Now that you’ve done your homework, consider yourself fully ready to bring your parents to your next dental visit. Ask your parents to contact us at Must Love Kids to schedule your next appointment and get ready to show them what a great place the dentist is.