The psychology of children is very different from that of a teen or an adult. Children may get uncomfortable in the serious environment of a dental clinic and may even get scared even by the thought of going to the dentist. A child specialist in medical practice or a pediatric dentist in dentistry has an extra 2 years of training in child psychology and child health issues to understand the behavior of children and the way their body works. This enables them to take care of children’s dental health while paying attention to their moods and emotions. A pediatric dentist learns methods to calm down the child and treat her without any intimidation.

What happens when your child visits the dental clinic for the first time?

A pediatric dentist’s office is never too boring or too intimidating for a child. The dentist uses her first visit to build up a friendship with the child, make them like the place for later visits, and get them to calm down around the dentist’s equipment. The treatment even includes fun posters and pictures to cheer up your child. To make her more comfortable, a good dentist will even let the child be in your arms while he continues with the regular dental checkup procedure.

What does the dentist do?

Your child’s first visit to a dental clinic should mainly be done to increase her confidence in dental checkups and treatments and calm her down. On the first dental checkup appointment, the dentist checks your child’s teeth for cavities or decay. The dentist also checks the structure of her tooth and makes sure there is no alteration in the general structure of the teeth – like an overbite or an under-bite. The dentist cleans the child’s teeth and gums with equipment that ensure painless treatment of teeth and gums. If a tooth has a cavity or is loose, he uses dental sealants to prevent further damage. The child is then rewarded with a little toy or sugar-free candy as an appreciation for their good behavior. She is encouraged to brush and floss her teeth regularly. After the dentist has examined your child, he informs you about the reports and the complications (if any) and recommends which food item or drinks should be avoided.

What should you get a dental x-ray of your child?

Sometimes the pediatric dentist might suggest an x-ray of the child’s teeth or jaw if he detects any abnormalities in the growth patterns of the child’s teeth. He does this to determine if there are any complications in the jaw structure or growth of the jaw. This helps the dentist make suggestions about any treatments or devices to be used to facilitate normal growth of the child’s jaws and teeth.

If you have a child who needs to have his first dental visit to make sure their dental health is in good condition or if they need early treatment for future complications, visit the pediatric dentist at Downtown Dental and they’ll take care of your child’s dental health.