Looking after your children’s teeth is essential. A beautiful, healthy smile not only helps with overall physical health, but also boosts confidence and happiness.
Dentistry for kids, though, is a more specialized branch of general or even family dentistry. So, if you want to find an excellent dentist for kids, you need to know exactly what to look for.
Read our handy guide right here to discover how to choose the best Lexington pediatric dentist for your little one, in five easy steps.
1. A Qualified, Trained, and Experienced Dentist
Let’s begin with one of the most essential feature of a great pediatric dentist: their training and qualifications. As we mentioned earlier, pediatric dentistry is a more specific type of dentistry, which involves undergoing a slightly different academic career.
Sometimes, a pediatric dentist will feature their experience and qualifications on their website, so you could start by looking there. If you can’t find anything, though, feel free to give them a call and ask directly. For even greater peace of mind, remember that you are more than welcome to ask for proof of their skills.
2. A Welcoming, Playful Environment
When you are narrowing down your list of potential pediatric dentists, it can help to visit their offices in person. Before you do so, though, make sure that you call in advance and ask for an appointment. Some dentists might restrict visits outside of booked appointments, due to the current coronavirus pandemic.
If the dental practice agrees, you will be able to take a tour of their premises. Once you do this, remember to bring your child with you. You’ll want them to get involved and familiar with this new part of their life, right from the beginning.
Check that the office looks clean, tidy, and welcoming. You’ll want to see plenty of decorations and objects that kids might find attractive. Colorful walls, funny animal prints, and perhaps some children’s music in the background might complete the perfect environment.
3. A Kind, Friendly, and Relaxed Attitude
Of course, a pediatric dentist with all the necessary qualifications, training, and experience is an absolute must. But do you know what else is super important? How they behave with their little patients.
Displaying a confident, patient, friendly, and relaxed attitude is paramount, for a pediatric dentist. Your child might feel a bit insecure or worried during their first appointment, but a great pediatric dentist will be able to make them feel safe, looked after, and comfortable.
At the same time, they will also be able to minimize any pain that the treatment might generate. Some pediatric dentists, in addition, are particularly skilled at dealing with anxious little ones.
Through clever use of words, distraction techniques, smiles, music, and more, they will be able to help your child take their mind off things while having their dental treatment.
Helping your child to fight their fear of the dentist when they are very young is essential if you want them to grow up feeling confident and looking forward to visiting their dentist.
4. A Wide Range of Available Treatments
Don’t be fooled into thinking that, just because pediatric dentists treat children’s teeth, it means that they offer fewer services.
A good-quality pediatric dentist should be able to deliver a comprehensive range of treatments. These should include regular checkups, tooth cleaning, restorative dentistry, and preventive dentistry.
Do you have a little one with a specific problem, such as a tongue tie or lip tie? Some pediatric dentists can help you treat those conditions, which in turn will hugely enhance your child’s well-being.
To find out whether your local Lexington or Georgetown dentist offers these treatments, you could try googling “pediatric dentist lip tie” or
“pediatric dentist tongue tie near me”.
5. Your Child’s Feedback
Last but definitely not least, you’ll want to hear from your child how they thought their first visit went. This appointment, in fact, is much more than a simple check-up. It enables you to establish a first connection and provides your child with the opportunity to find out whether they feel at ease and comfortable with their new dentist.
So, once you get home, encourage your child to talk to you about their dentist. Ask them how they made them feel, whether they liked them, and if they would like to go back to see them one day.
Based on their feedback, you might or might not need to reconsider your choice. Remember: you want your child to grow up looking at dental health as a pleasant, important aspect of their life, not something to fear or dislike.
If this means that you will need to wait a bit longer before you find a great Lexington pediatric dentist, then so be it. Trust us, it will be well worth it in the end.
The Secret to Finding the Right Lexington Pediatric Dentist for Your Kids
If you live in Lexington and are looking for a fantastic Lexington pediatric dentist for your kids, then the five tips in our article can help.
When you set out on your quest for a great dentist for your little ones, remember to verify their training and qualifications, as well as whether their office is a warm, welcoming place for children.
Also, it’s important to make sure that your dentist offers a variety of treatments to best fulfill the needs of your child. Lastly, you’ll want to select a dentist who displays a laid-back, personable attitude, and puts your child at ease.
Ready to book your child’s first appointment? Great! The friendly, professional team at Pediatric Dentistry of Hamburg is looking forward to welcoming you!
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