Wilson Pediatric Dentistry, Author at wilsonpediatric

How to Make Cavities Easy to Understand for Your Child

Posted on November 2, 2017November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

As your child ages, they will eventually start to take care of their own dental hygiene. An important part of encouraging good habits is making sure they’re informed about the benefits of taking care of their teeth. They also need to be made aware of the potential risks of poor care, and this includes cavities.

Cavities can be a frightening concept for young children, so you need to be careful when teaching your kids about them. Here are a few tips to make sure your kids know about cavities and what they can do to prevent them. For more ideas on how to explain dental care to kids, contact Wilson Pediatric Dentistry.

How to To Educate Your Kids on Cavities

Simplify

Kids may have a hard time understanding some of the dental jargon relating to cavities, and this confusion can turn into fear. Try explaining them using simpler terms that they can understand.

Tell your kids that in order to enjoy all the foods they love, they need to practice good dental care, too. Explain how brushing their teeth keeps their mouth healthy and can help prevent the formation of tiny holes in their teeth, called cavities. You might also remind them to take extra care of their teeth when they eat sugary and starchy foods.

Let your children know that the cavities hurt, but they can be fixed.

Teach, Don’t Scare

Making your children aware of cavities can help motivate them to take better care of their teeth, but using cavities as a looming threat to frighten your kids can backfire. Using scare tactics to promote good behavior can erode your child’s trust in you and traumatize them.

Be Honest

As a parent, you already know that children are inquisitive. They’re going to have lots of questions about cavities and what happens if you get one. Make sure to answer their questions honestly. If they’re curious, they’re going to find out the truth sometime. It’s better if they find out from you.

Teach Proactivity

Teach your child that taking care of their teeth and avoiding cavities is easy as long as they are consistent. Help them form strong dental care habits with positive reinforcement. Reminding them that they have the power to protect themselves from cavities, and they will be more likely to keep up with their dental hygiene routine.

Here are a few habits you should encourage:

Flossing once a day
Brushing twice a day, in the morning and again before bed
Limit sugary or starchy foods
Eating tooth-healthy foods

If Your Child Gets a Cavity

Finding out they have cavities can be terrifying for a child, and it is your job as a parent to make the ordeal easier. Let your kids know that some cavities can’t be avoided, no matter how much work you put in. You should also make sure your child knows that you aren’t mad or disappointed with them.

Make sure they are fully prepared for the filling process. Walk them through it step-by-step, working to make it sound less scary. Remind your child that even though the process may seem scary, it won’t be painful, and it will make them feel better.

Choosing a dentist experienced in making difficult procedures easy for kids can also help make the process better for your child. Dr. Elmore of Wilson Pediatric Dentistry gives each of her young patients gentle, compassionate care, making dental visits less scary. Schedule an appointment at our Wilson, North Carolina, office for more friendly pediatric dental care.

How Parents Can Encourage Proper Dental Care for Their Kids

Posted on October 2, 2017November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Any parent knows it can feel impossible to get kids to do what you ask. When your child is a toddler, you’re likely brushing their teeth for them. Eventually, they reach an age where they start to take care of their own dental care.

Having them take care of their own oral hygiene is easier said than done when taking care of teeth gets in the way of play time. We’ve compiled some easy ways you can encourage proper pediatric dental home care for your kids.

Tips To Help Parents Encourage Better Pediatric Dental Home Care

Pediatric dental care is all about setting up good foundations for dental health as an adult. A major part of this is scheduling regular cleanings and checkups, but good home care matters even more. That is why the first few years your child is brushing their teeth for themselves are so important. They’re establishing habits that will they will stick with for years.

Lead from the Front

You shouldn’t ask your child to do anything you aren’t willing to do yourself. Be a model for your child to follow. Brush twice a day, floss once a day, and eat a healthy diet. Your children admire you, and people learn most of their behaviors from their parents.

Make sure your kids see you brush and floss regularly. Let them in your bathroom when you’re getting ready in the morning. They’re picking up more from you than you think.

Answer “Why?”

Your son or daughter likely bombards you with dozens of questions a day, and most of them are probably the same one: “Why?” They’ve certainly asked this more than once about dental care.

Encourage this creativity. Tell them why brushing and flossing are necessary. Just make sure not to make it scary.

Children can have a hard time conceptualizing the invisible benefits of pediatric dental care. Invest in some plaque disclosing tablets, which temporarily dyes plaque bright colors. This makes it real for them by showing them the gunk they brush away every morning and night.

Give Them Ownership of Their Dental Care

Your little one will be a lot more likely to keep up with brushing if they feel some ownership in over the activity. Letting your child choose their own toothbrush, toothpaste, and rinse cup gives them a part in making decisions about their dental care.

Let them choose a brush with their favorite cartoon character or toothpaste that comes in a flavor they like. The minty taste of most adult toothbrushes is too harsh for kids. Childrens’ options come in milder fruit flavors. Just make they choose a fluoride toothpaste.

Turn Brushing into a Game

Anyone who has transformed a spoonful of peas into an airplane knows the benefits of visualization and playing pretend with your kids. Use a similar strategy for brushing time. Have your child make believe that the brush is a high-powered laser beam that takes out the alien invaders in his mouth. Base the game around their interests or favorite shows.

If the game doesn’t work, try writing a toothbrushing song for them. Pick a well-known melody and make up some lyrics they’ll enjoy. Make the song about brushing, family, pets, or something else in their life. You can also use one of these already written songs.

Make a Checklist and Offer Prizes

When all else fails, it may be time to resort to bribery. Make a checklist of morning and nighttime chores, and make sure brushing and flossing are included. When they complete a task, have them come to you to check off the activity on their list.

Every day they complete the list, give them a ticket to exchange for a prize at the end of the week. These can be anything. Trips to the park, visits with friends, and video game time all work great. Just make sure your prizes aren’t tooth decaying snacks like candy.

By using these simple tricks, you can instill good dental routines in your kids that will last them a lifetime. Another good pediatric dental care habit to start on early is regular check-ups and cleanings. Schedule an appointment for your son or daughter at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry in North Carolina.

How to Know When Your Child is Having a Dental Emergency

Posted on September 20, 2017November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, CONTACT WILSON PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY IMMEDIATELY AT (252) 291-4300 for same-day dental care.

Few things are worse than seeing your child in pain. As a parent, you want to do whatever you can to keep your child healthy. With all the playing and exploring kids do, pediatric dental emergencies are not uncommon, and an important part of protecting your daughter or son’s dental health is knowing how to react when they happen.

Here are some common examples of pediatric dental emergencies, so you know what to do and when to contact your pediatric dentist for emergency treatment.

What is a Pediatric Dental Emergency?

A pediatric dental emergency is any unexpected dental issue that requires immediate attention or treatment.

Many of these problems come with extreme pain. Some emergencies can even impact the way new teeth come in. Here are some of the most common pediatric dental emergencies we experience in our office.

Lost Tooth

If your child suddenly and unexpectedly loses a tooth, they should see their pediatric dentist immediately.

If you’re able to find the tooth, keep it. Make sure the tooth stays moist with milk, salt water, or saliva during the drive to the dentist. If your child is older, you can put the tooth back in the socket or have them hold it in their mouths. Avoid this with younger children, as they may swallow the tooth.

If the lost tooth is permanent, we will do our best to try to reintroduce it. The faster we can act, the more likely the procedure is to be successful.

If your daughter or son unexpectedly loses a baby tooth, we will not typically try to replace the tooth, even if it was lost very early. This is because reintroduction may harm the incoming permanent tooth bud. You should still bring your child in for emergency dental treatment, so that the damage can be assessed.

Chipped or Broken Teeth

With kids constantly rough-housing sometimes teeth end up chipped or broken. Whether the fracture occurs in the crown or fracture, the pain is usually considerable.

Treat the tooth with a cold compress and children’s pain medicine. Next, call Wilson Pediatric Dentistry for emergency dental care.

Tooth Pain

Chances are, if your little one’s teeth hurt, they won’t be able to verbalize specific causes of the pain. Toothaches come from a variety of issues ranging from the routine to severe. Some common causes are:

Food stuck in the teeth
Cavities
Trauma
Tooth fracture
Tooth eruption

Check your child’s mouth for abnormalities, and have them rinse. If the pain persists, take them in for treatment.

Displaced Teeth

Sometimes teeth don’t get knocked out but knocked around. Whether they become impacted or made crooked, displacement can have a negative impact on future development and requires immediate attention. Treat the tooth with a cold compress while you’re on the way to the office.

Dental Abscess

A tooth abscess is a nasty infection occurring in the roots your child’s tooth. If left unchecked, this infection can spread to other parts of the body. Some signs to look out for include:

Severe tooth, jaw, or gum pain
Swollen gums
Fever
Bad taste in mouth
Bad breath

If your child is experiencing any of these issues, don’t waste time. The faster you act, the sooner they’ll be smiling again! Wilson Pediatric Dentistry in North Carolina offers same-day emergency appointments during business hours. Call us at (252) 291-4300.

What You Need to Know About Your Children’s Dental Care

Posted on July 26, 2017November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

All parents want to help their children get the best possible dental care, but it can be difficult. When should you start taking your child to the dentist? What kind of dentist should they see?

How do you promote good home care? Wilson Pediatric Dentistry in North Carolina is here to help get your little one started off right.

What Parents Need to Know About Taking Their Children to the Dentist

You Need To Start Earlier Than You May Think

Most children should have their first dentist appointment when they turn one year old. This is usually about the time the first primary tooth emerges. The early start is necessary so that your child’s dentist can monitor the teeth as they come in, and establish a dental plan.

Pediatric Dentists Have a Unique Focus

It is true that family dentists can treat children. All dentists are licensed to work on people of all ages. However, pediatric dentists undergo several additional years of specialized training with kids. Pediatric dentists, like Dr. Elmore, focus more on setting up dental plans and ensuring healthy development than treating issues after they happen.

Children can also be very fearful of dentists. Offices like Wilson Pediatric Dentistry are made to be warm and welcoming, and the staff is specifically trained on making young patients feel at ease. By taking your child to a pediatric dentist, you’re getting them the best possible dental care.

Baby Teeth Matter, Too

It can be easy not to see the point in taking your young one to a pediatric dentist. They’re going to lose all of their baby teeth anyway, so why bother taking care of them?

The truth is, what happens to the baby teeth can have a significant impact on the development of the secondary teeth. The primary teeth serve as a placeholder for new teeth. Any disruption or early loss of these baby teeth can have adverse effects on the way the permanent teeth come in.

Baby teeth are also just as prone to cavities as adult teeth. Taking care of your child’s dental health can prevent the unneeded pain of a cavity.

They Need Your Help

One of the most important things pediatric dentists do is create a dental plan for our patients. This individualized plan lays out healthy eating strategies, proper home care, and an appointment schedule.

Since young children can’t plan their own lives, they’ll be counting on you to help them keep with their plans. Pediatric dentists empower parents with the tools to be their children’s greatest dental allies.

Get your child started off right on the path to healthy smiles. Call Wilson Pediatric Dentistry at (252) 291-4300 to learn more, or request an appointment online.

Get Your Child the Best Care at a Pediatric Dentist

Posted on July 7, 2017November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Your child’s first dentist appointment is an exciting step in their life, but where should you take your child? Should they see a general, a family, or a pediatric dentist? Is there even a difference between them?

How Do Pediatric Dentists Differ from General Dentists?

Children have unique dental needs compared to adults, and pediatric dentists, like Dr. Jasmine Elmore at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry, have specialized training to help meet those needs.

Additional Training

Any licensed dentist who has graduated from an accredited institution is qualified to serve patients of any age. However, pediatric dentists don’t just go through different training, but additional training. These dentists require an additional two or three years of education and training focused on issues and treatments specific to children.

A Unique Focus

Children have special dental needs compared to adults. Pediatric dentists are uniquely qualified to help with those issues. The primary focus for a pediatric dentist will not be on dealing with issues after they’ve happened. Instead, they will build a plan for your child based on their needs, to help foster healthy development.

Pediatric dentists also specialize in treatments that are more helpful to kids, like dental sealants, disking baby teeth, and fluoride treatment.

Friendly Setting

General dentist’s offices are often cold and clinical. This is fine for an adult, but for a younger child, this environment can be terrifying. This kind of atmosphere is the biggest contributing factor to kids hating the dental visits. Pediatric dentists create a warm, colorful setting that puts children at ease.

Most dentists also lack training or experience working with children who don’t want to be there. Pediatric dentistry offices are staffed with people who love working with kids. They have experience helping calm nervous children.

Why Should You Take Your Child to Wilson Pediatric Dentistry in Wilson, NC?

Dr. Elmore and the team at Wilson Pediatric Dentist, in Wilson, North Carolina, have years of experience helping to build healthy smiles for their young patients. With specific experience working with kids who have had negative experiences with dentists, we will make your child’s experience both comfortable and fun.

Our team looks forward to working with your daughter or son. Contact us at (252)291-4300 to learn more about how we can help your child.

Author: Wilson Pediatric Dentistry