Kid-Friendly Dental Care in Buffalo, MN: Building Healthy Smiles Early
The Importance of Early Dental Care
Dental care is a lifelong journey, and starting your child’s dental care early can lead to a long life of good oral health. Dental Care Associates of Buffalo, located in Buffalo, Minnesota, is a family-friendly dental office that caters to the entire family. In fact, we have two generations of dentists working in our office! Start your child’s dental care with us, and we can grow with them, from infants and teens right through adulthood.
When To Schedule Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment
Many parents wonder when exactly they should bring their child to the dentist for the first time, and the answer may surprise you. Dentists recommend children first visit the dentist right after their first tooth has erupted, or right around their first birthday, whichever comes first. The reason so many dentists encourage visits this early is to get your child used to the sights, sounds, and smells of the dental office.
During a baby’s first dental appointment, the dental team at Dental Care Associates of Buffalo will take the time to get to know the child and their health history. This dental checkup will be done with the parent holding the child while sitting in the dental care. Your dentist will also perform an evaluation of your child’s mouth, where they will check the child’s gums and any teeth that have begun to erupt.
This evaluation serves two purposes. First, it allows your child some familiarity with having someone examine their mouth. Second, it allows the dentist to see what is going on in your child’s mouth and to check for any dental abnormalities that may be of concern as your child grows.
Making Dental Visits a Positive Experience
Some children may feel some fear or anxiety about going to the dentist. To help your child get over that fear, make sure you are speaking about the dentist in a positive light. Explain how a dentist is a doctor that specializes in teeth, and visiting the dentist is just as important as visiting their pediatrician.
Share with your child that visiting the dentist twice a year is how they make sure their teeth and gums stay healthy and happy. As parents, we know that preventive care is key to maintaining optimal health, so letting your child know that the dentist isn’t just a place to go when there is a problem with their teeth is key.
At Dental Care Associates of Buffalo, we are your local, kid-friendly dentist. We know the area, and our staff and their families are local to the area as well. We know what is happening in the area, and many of us are involved in activities in the community. In fact, you may see us at a local event! If you do, don’t hesitate to say hello to us outside the dental office. We are always happy to see our patients outside of the office. We like patients to know we are regular people too!
Daily Habits for Strong Teeth
One of the best ways to make sure your child’s teeth are healthy and strong is by instilling daily dental oral hygiene habits. We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time, using a soft bristled toothbrush, as well as flossing at least once a day after brushing.
For children, it is important to use a child sized toothbrush because the head will fit easier in their mouth and it will make it easier to maneuver when brushing, especially the molars in the back. At Dental Care Associates of Buffalo, we recommend using a toothpaste fortified with fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to build up the enamel of the teeth, the hard outer layer. For extra protection, you may want your child to use a mouthwash that contains fluoride as well.
Fun Ways to Teach Kids About Oral Health
Many children love to learn through activities, so find some books or local activities that involve dental care. Take a trip to your local library and ask for titles of books that explain what a trip to the dentist is like. Many of your child’s favorite cartoon characters star in books about dental visits, so see if your local library has one of those in house.
You can also get your children excited about their dental health by letting them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste. There are many products out there, but we recommend looking for ones with the ADA seal. The American Dental Association seal is a symbol that a product is approved by the ADA and top dentists across the country. Many dental products are aimed at kids and come in fun characters and colors, and there are also a number of variously flavored toothpastes out there.
Schedule a visit at Dental Care Associates of Buffalo.
Part of a healthy oral health routine is visiting the dentist at least twice a year. Make sure that you and your child are making time to visit Dental Care Associates of Buffalo. If you haven’t seen us in a while, make an appointment today!
