At Aponia Dental, your Edmonton family dentist encourages even our littlest patients to learn about the importance of good dental health. When kids have this knowledge, we find they are more likely to be active participants in their daily brushing and flossing.
The dental education we provide at Aponia Dental will hopefully help make your job as a parent easier – and avoid bedtime battles over brushing and flossing. Your children will understand what they need to do in order to keep their teeth and gums healthy, and will learn that brushing and flossing are important responsibilities.
We usually recommend bringing your child to Aponia Dental for their first appointment when they are three years old. It will give us a chance to examine their teeth and gums, and likely we will not do X-rays or a hygiene treatment at that point.
Here are some ways you can help your child develop a healthy relationship with dental care:
Talk to your child about brushing and flossing, and why it helps to keep their teeth strong and healthy. Explain how there is sugar in the foods they eat and drink, and that sugar can stick to your teeth if it isn’t brushed away.
Show your child proper technique by brushing and flossing in front of them, and help them until they learn to do it all by themselves. We often recommend letting your child brush their own teeth first, and then doing a “touch-up” job yourself afterwards to ensure they are brushed well.
Even if coming to the dentist isn’t your favourite activity, keep all conversations about the dentist light and positive around your child. They need to see that going to the dentist is no big deal. Never use phrases like, “It’s not scary,” or “There’s nothing to be afraid of,” because that puts the idea in their head that it might be scary or frightening.
It is often a good idea for you to bring your children with you for your dental appointments – even if they’re too young for their own appointment. This will familiarize your child with our staff and make them comfortable with our dental office.
Our Kids Zone section educates kids about the basics of dental hygiene, in a fun and interactive way. The Kids Zone includes videos, games and colouring pages that are exciting and interactive.
Q: I often hear my son grinding his teeth while he sleeps. Does he need a bite appliance?
Q: Should my daughter come in to Aponia Dental for her first dental visit before her first birthday?
A: We usually recommend a child comes in to Aponia Dental for their first visit when they are old enough to sit in the chair and open their mouth without too much fuss — and that’s usually around their third birthday. If you’re not sure if your child should come in for a visit, just call or email our Edmonton team.
Q: I’m scared whenever I go to the dentist, and I always have been. How do I prevent my children from being afraid, too?
A: It’s very important that you try not to pass your fear of the dentist along to your children. Maintain light, relaxed conversations about dental visits. Keep all comments breezy and positive, and show your children that going to the dentist is a fun experience.
Q: My nine-month-old baby has five teeth. Do I need to brush them?
A: You should begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they have them. Contrary to popular belief, even babies can get cavities — it’s often referred to as “baby bottle rot.” Sugars from milk and juice settle on their teeth and can begin to cause decay. Since babies tend to suck on bottles slowly, we recommend that parents encourage their baby or toddler to finish a drink within 20 minutes. Then the parents should wipe their baby’s teeth and gums to clean them, using a soft infant toothbrush or a wet washcloth. Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.
