We all know that dental hygiene is important. And the earlier you start, the better off you’re going to be. Not taking good care of your teeth and gums today can have lasting effects down the road that may cause pain, and discomfort, and make a sizable dent in your wallet. 😬
Getting in front of these issues early, especially for your kids, is important to the long-term health of your family.
When it comes to making sure that your family has the best dental care possible, there is really only one solution — a small, local dentist.
Today, we’re focusing on the benefits that small dentist offices and pediatric dentistry can provide for you and your family.
Why Private Practices Are the Smart Choice For Your Family
A smaller dental practice can be highly beneficial for a few reasons:
1) Familiarity With Your Family’s Needs
For anyone who has been to a smaller, private practice dental office, they’ll often say the best part about going there is the familiarity their dentist has with them. Not everyone loves going to the dentist (shocking, I know), and having someone you trust who knows your teeth inside and out can help calm any nerves.
You and your family will have a great rapport with the dentist and you’d be hard pressed to find a dental hygiene professional who has a family-friendly business that isn’t good with kids. This is another big benefit, as many young kids have trouble getting used to going to the dentist at first.
Overall, it’s nice to go to a dentist’s office where they remember your name.
2) You Receive the Care and Attention Your Family Deserves
In addition to familiarity, within these offices, you’ll find that your family will get the attention they deserve. Corporate dental offices tend to be run more like a conveyer belt at a manufacturing plant. Each dentist will move on to the next patient as quickly as they can, with the end goal to get through as many patients as possible.
At a smaller office, you’ll see how the dentist is more inclined to hear about how your day is going, how your family is, and overall make sure that your time is pleasant while you are in the office. Whether it’s for a regular check-up or a cavity filling, you’ll never feel like just another patient.
3) Warmer, More Friendly Atmosphere
Another benefit is the fact that smaller offices tend to have a more welcoming environment and atmosphere. This goes back to those who have anxiety about going to the dentist.
Instead of dreading your trip to the dentist, your family will look forward to the customer-service-oriented staff and the overall warm vibe that the office gives off. This might not seem like a big differentiating point, but it can make all the difference in the world between a great experience at the dentist and a not-so-great one.
5 Tips for Preparing Your Child for a Trip to the Dentist
In addition to choosing a smaller clinic or going with pediatric dentists, there are a few things you can do as parents to help alleviate the stress and fear a child may have about visiting the dentist.
1) Be Positive and Don’t Share Your Anxieties
No matter how old you are, nobody loves going to the dentist. And if you’re a parent that has their own fear of anxiety about going to the dentist, try to spin it into a positive light for your child (and yourself).
Talk with your kid about how great it is to get a nice tooth cleaning and that it only lasts a few minutes. A positive mindset can do wonders to alleviate the worry a child may have about their first dentist experience.
2) Use Positive Reinforcement
Everyone deserves a treat for doing something scary! Rather than ice cream or a sweet treat after the dentist, maybe go pick up a toy or have a gift waiting for them in the car for doing such a good job at their appointment. Positive reinforcement has shown to be very effective, especially in younger children.
3) Strategize the Time of the Appointment
Taking your child to the dentist early in the morning or before they’ve had lunch can really make for a crabby time. If they’re hungry or need a nap, it can be much worse to get them to go to the dentist uninterrupted. Everyone feels more inclined to do tough things when they’re in a better mood. Make it something they’re looking forward to and not something that’s an inconvenient chore.
4) Read Fun Books About Going to the Dentist
If your child is still quite young, finding fun books about going to the dentist can help ease them into the idea. Oftentimes, these types of books will show how easy and pain-free it is to get a cleaning and checkup. Some of our favorites include:
- Daniel Goes to the Dentist
- Pout-Pout Fish: Goes to the Dentist
- Where the Sugar Bugs Live
- We’re Going to the Dentist: Going for a Check-up (Big Steps)
5) Practice at Home
Knowing what to expect can always help alleviate some anxiety or stress in unfamiliar territory. Maybe “play dentist” and show your child how they’ll be laid back in a comfy chair, have a little paper bib, and get their mouth examined— reassuring them it is not as scary as it seems.
Keep Your Family Healthy With Wayzata Dental’s Laser Dentistry for Kids
When it comes to dental procedures, many kids and even adults are frightened of the idea of novocaine — which is an extremely understandable fear.
At Wayzata Dental, we are driven to make sure that we provide an exceptional dental care experience for our patients. One of the ways we do this is by implementing laser technology into our dental procedures. This includes:
- bonding
- inlay/onlay restorations
- composite fillings
- crowns
- veneers
- canker sore removal
- desensitizing teeth.
Laser technology allows for pain-free, efficient experiences at the dentist while also catering to any special health care needs you may have.
Learn more about laser dentistry for kids here. And make sure to give us a call at 952-473-4900 to set up an appointment for you and your family.
Or, fill out our brief contact form on our website with any questions or concerns you have about your family’s dental health and we’ll get back to you with answers, as well as next steps for getting started as a Wayzata Dental patient.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you!