Many hospitals no longer allow newborns to leave with their mother until they have an appointment scheduled with a pediatrician, yet these same hospitals never talk to the parents about the importance of good dental health. Good oral health begins at birth and yet many parents don’t think about a child’s teeth until they start to come in. Although your child doesn’t need to be seen by a dentist until he or she is one, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, parents can start taking steps at birth to protect a child’s teeth. One thing a parent should do when the child is very young, under 12 months of age, is to find a good pediatric dentist in Omaha NE in preparation for the first checkup. What should one look for when choosing a pediatric dentist in Omaha, NE?
Pediatric dentists undergo extra training to ensure they understand the needs of young children and their teeth. This training deals with not only the problems that may arise with the teeth of babies, children and teenagers, but also how the younger generation differs from adults. A pediatric dentist may better understand how to connect with children and make them feel comfortable about seeing the dentist.
Visit the dental practice by yourself before you take your child. Do you feel comfortable in the office? If you don’t, chances are your child won’t either. Does the practice have things to help distract the child? Most offices will have books or magazines for children, but some now offer video games, movies or TV to help keep the child occupied not only in the waiting room, but also in the treatment area so he or she can focus on something other than having their teeth worked on.
Pay attention to the equipment used in the office also. The mouth of a child isn’t the same size as an adult’s mouth so make sure the equipment is scaled for a child. Equipment which is too big will make the experience less pleasant in a number of ways so this is something you should never overlook.
Don’t rush the process. Spend some time comparing dentists to find the one that is right for your child or children. Oral health is of great importance in general health so you want to ensure you make the right choice when it comes to caring for your child’s teeth.
