Tips for Managing Dental Anxiety in Kids

Posted by Kirby Smiles Mar 28,2023

Dental anxiety in kids is common. Children begin to get nervous when they see unfamiliar surroundings, the sound of the dental drill, or smell the dental disinfectant. They may also fear the pain, anxiety, or anesthesia. As a parent, you can help them overcome their dental anxiety by helping them understand the dentist’s office better.

Tips for Managing Dental Anxiety in Kids

When children experience anxiety over visiting their pediatric dentist, they are more likely to have problems developing good oral hygiene habits. The fear of seeing a dentist doesn’t have to be a lifelong problem. With the right techniques, you can help your child manage their anxiety and teach them that the dental office is a safe, friendly place.

Here are a few tips to help calm your child’s fears:

Make sure you’re taking your children to the pediatric dentist when they’re young. Studies have shown that the earlier a child sees their dentist, the better.
Practice at home! Turn the brushing activity into a fun game by singing a song and dancing around together while you brush. Make up funny names for different parts of the mouth to help your child remember where they are supposed to clean.
Talk about what to expect at the dentist’s office with your child before their first visit. This will help them develop realistic expectations of what will happen during their appointment.
Take something your child enjoys with them to their appointment. Some dentists even allow parents to sit with their children in the examination room to help them feel more at ease. You can also bring their favorite toy or book to read to them while they wait to be seen.
One of the best ways to calm your child down is to bring a special comfort item to their appointment. The item can be anything you choose, as long as it soothes them when they are nervous and makes them feel better about the situation. Some examples can include a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, soft toy, a snack to eat, or anything else that they enjoy.
Be open and honest about your own experiences with the dentist. If you’ve had a negative experience at the dentist, don’t downplay your child’s feelings in an effort to comfort them. Instead, talk about your own fears and experiences so they see that their feelings are normal and understandable.
Encourage healthy oral habits at home and encourage your kids to take care of their teeth on their own. This will make them feel more in control of how their own smiles look and will make trips to the dentist less intimidating.
As always, education is key when it comes to teaching children the importance of great oral health. Help them out by leading by example, making sure you brush and floss your teeth twice a day as well. If you’re having trouble getting your kids interested in taking care of their oral health, start by reading books about dental care to them. You can even use educational apps on your phone to encourage them to take care of their mouths and learn about why it’s important.

These tips can help you and your child prepare for their next visit to the dental office and ensure that everything goes smoothly! To learn more about our dental services, visit Kirby Smiles at 3695 Kirby Dr. Suite 129, Pearland 77584, or call 281-941-5488.

How is a dental implant placed?

Dental implants are often the go-to solution for replacing missing natural teeth. They are highly recommended by dentists from all around the world owing to the numerous advantages they offer. After all that has been discussed about dental implants, some may have doubts lingering in their mind, especially about the procedure involved in placing implants. Here’s a brief read that will help you understand this better. UNDERSTANDING IMPLANTS BETTER A dental implant briefly contains two components, namely the metal implant stud and the tooth-colored ceramic crown. Both these individual parts are held firmly with the help of a connecting abutment. Unlike most other dental restorations, implants are placed directly in the jawbone right in place of the missing tooth. This gives them the necessary stability and strength, making them the closest alternatives to natural teeth. HOW IS AN IMPLANT PLACED? Screening: A thorough screening procedure is one of the main processes of getting a dental implant. During this, the dentist would check your jawbone for possible deterioration, spacing available for inserting the implant, overall state of health, oral health, existing restorations, etc. Panoramic scans and x-rays of the mouth would be taken for diagnostic purposes and to serve as a reference while fabricating the restoration. Initial surgery: Once your candidacy is confirmed for the implantation procedure, the dentist will prepare you for the first surgery. An overall health check will be conducted, and local anesthesia will be given to the oral region. Once the tissues are numb, a small hole will be made in the jawbone in the missing tooth’s place. The implant will be put in it and secured firmly using dental cement. A suitable healing period will be suggested, during which the surrounding jawbone will be allowed to grow around the implant. Prosthetic crown: Once the implant is secured in place, the dentist will schedule the second surgery to place the crown. An abutment will be placed on the implant, and the crown will be attached to it. Before it is fixed permanently, a bite test will be taken to ensure it doesn’t alter your natural bite. Once the alignment is confirmed, it will be bonded permanently to the implant. The dentist will then give you instructions to care for the implant. To receive the best dental care, contact us today.

Your One-Stop Guide to a Smile Makeover

Are you looking to update your smile and give it a makeover? The solution is a smile makeover - a process that comprises one or several cosmetic dental procedures to enhance your smile and appearance. We offer smile makeover procedures that help you become your absolute best. Let’s take a look at all the details you should know about a smile makeover. WHEN IS A SMILE MAKEOVER NEEDED? You are a suitable candidate for a smile makeover if you have the following dental issues: * Missing teeth * Gaps between your teeth * Crooked, chipped, or damaged teeth * Discolored and dull teeth * Exposed gum tissue when you smile WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A SMILE MAKEOVER? Here’s a list of procedures included in a smile makeover: * Teeth Whitening: A teeth whitening procedure involves eliminating all the plaque and stains from the surface of your teeth. The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes and offers you a smile three to seven shades brighter. * Veneers: Veneers are thin films made of porcelain or resin attached to the front surface of your teeth. When applied, veneers help cover stained and broken teeth and gaps between teeth. * Braces: Overcrowded or misaligned teeth can inhibit you from flashing your smile. Our expert dentist offers orthodontic treatments like dental braces to improve your smile. * Implants: Implants are titanium screws drilled into your jawbone that replace missing tooth roots. They are then fitted with a crown to fully replace a missing tooth. * Composite Bonding: Composite bonding can fix cosmetic dental issues with the help of tooth-colored resin applied on the tooth surface. It restores both form and function to complete your smile. * Crowns and Bridges: Crowns and bridges help replace missing teeth or fix damaged teeth to give you a better smile. A smile makeover procedure is the best way to fix all your dental imperfections and help you embrace a new life. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Tooth Extraction Recovery: What You Should Know

Tooth extraction is a routine procedure performed by dental health professionals. It is necessary when you have wisdom teeth that put pressure on adjacent teeth, crowded teeth, excessive tooth decay, or a tooth infection. You may have heard or read about the procedure plenty of times. But, do you know what the recovery process entails? We perform dozens of dental extractions each year. In this blog, he wants to give you an insight into the recovery process to help prepare you for the procedure. STAGES OF RECOVERY AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION You need to pay close attention to your recovery process to ensure you are healing well. Here are the stages of recovery you should know about: * You are likely to experience some swelling, bleeding, or blood clots forming in the first 24 hours after the tooth extraction. Slight pain and discomfort are common occurrences during this period. However, don’t be alarmed. Our dentist will provide all the required instructions and medication to help you feel well. * After about 24 hours, you need to take extra care to ensure you don’t dislodge the clot as this can lead to complications. Avoid brushing on the side where the extraction was performed. * Within the first week, your gum will start to heal around the extraction site, and within the first ten days, the site will heal completely. After two weeks, you should no longer experience tenderness in your gums. DO’S AND DON'TS AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION Here are a few do and don’ts you should be aware of to help with the tooth extraction recovery process: * Apply an ice pack after the procedure to reduce swelling and minimize any pain you might feel. Continue this multiple times for 10-minute intervals until you feel comfortable. * Bite down on the gauze your dentist places to prevent bleeding. * Take medication only as directed by the dentist. * Don’t use straws as you may disturb the extraction site. * Don’t rush into your routine the next day. Rest for at least 24 hours. * Consume soft foods like yogurt and pudding, and stay away from crunchy foods for a few days. * If you feel unbearable pain or serious bleeding, get in touch with us immediately. For more information on tooth extraction and the healing process, get in touch with us today.

Why Choose a Family Dentist?

Family dentistry is a dental practice that helps patients of all ages, from babies to seniors. Family dentists provide preventative care, treat dental problems, and help keep smiles healthy. There are numerous reasons why you should choose a family dentist: COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL CARE A family dentist offers comprehensive dental care for all ages, from infants to seniors. In fact, a family dentist is a preventative specialty that diagnoses issues before they progress into more serious oral health problems that require more extensive treatments or surgery. Additionally, your entire family can be treated in one convenient location and under the care of one doctor who knows your teeth history. A comprehensive exam can also include a medical review of your teeth and gums along with oral cancer screening due to the close link between your oral health and overall health. Your family dentist can spot signs of other health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. At your regular appointments, your family dentist will also perform an oral cancer screening and check for periodontal disease as well as tooth decay. Other benefits of having your family get care at a single location include receiving consistent treatment from the same team, saving time on repeated trips to the dentist’s office, and having all your records stored in one place. COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT Many parents are concerned about the safety of their children at a dental office, but family dentistry providers have child-friendly waiting areas and treatment rooms to make patients of all ages feel more at ease. Individualized treatment plans can also be created for each child based on their unique needs and concerns. Children who visit the dentist regularly can expect to have healthy teeth throughout their lifetimes! A welcoming environment is just one of the many benefits of a family dentist. At Kirby Smiles, we work with all members of the family, from young children to grandparents. SAME-DAY PROCEDURES While our same-day procedures are ideal for individuals who want to avoid the hassle of multiple visits to the dentist, they’re also a great way for families to take care of all of their dental care needs in one visit. This includes everything from exams and cleanings to cosmetic and restorative treatments. BEST FOR CHILDREN When children grow up going to the same dentist as their parents, it’s easier for everyone to stay on the same page when it comes to their dental health. This familiarity can help improve the chances of your child following in your footsteps. But it’s also important to find a family dentistry practice that offers a range of treatments and services for all ages so that everyone in the family can enjoy healthy smiles that will last a lifetime. For the best dental services, everyone in the family should visit Kirby Smiles at 3695 Kirby Dr. Suite 129, Pearland 77584, or call 281-941-5488.

Joseph Ilustre

Alyson Hemann

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