As parents, we want our children to be safe and have fun, enjoyable, and productive lives. For this reason, we look for activities that are safe and fun in everything that they might do and explore. When it comes to the dentist, it should be no different. After all, your kids deserve the best in dental care. And, they deserve to have their dental care experience in a safe and fun environment. 

Your child should feel safe at the dentist.

First and foremost, your child should be safe when they come to the dentist. But not only should they be safe, they should feel safe too. So when it comes to looking for the right pediatric dentist for your child, look for one that can answer the following questions positively without hesitation.

• Is the dental office calm and modern, with fun elements woven throughout?
• Do the dentists and dental assistants talk in a calm manner?
• Are children encouraged to take a tour of the dental office to see what it is all about?
• Are parents allowed to sit in during their child’s dental care appointment?
• Does the dentist answer all your dental care questions calmly and satisfactorily based on your concerns and needs?
• Do the dentist and dental assistants encourage a healthy and fun conversation with your child during the appointment?
• Can your child bring their favorite stuffie or calming toy to their appointment?
• Is the dentist experienced in working with children with special needs or accommodations?

If what you see and feel when meeting with your dentist for the first time can check all of these boxes, you can rest assured that you have found the best dental care at a safe and welcoming place for you and your child.

The importance of preventive dentistry from an early age.

Taking care of your child’s teeth starts shortly after they are born. Even newborn babies require dental attention. Following the proper steps to care for your child’s teeth can help ensure your child’s teeth develop correctly. For example, parents can help protect their baby’s gums and future teeth by wiping down their baby’s gums twice a day. Simply use a room-temperature or slightly warm damp cloth and gently rub it along the gums. This is not only soothing to your baby but helps wipe away bacteria that have developed throughout the day.

As a toddler, your child can start brushing their teeth. In fact, you should help your child to brush their teeth as soon as the first one erupts through the gums. Use an age-appropriate toothbrush and a kids’ toothpaste as suggested by your pediatric dentist. Gently brush around your child’s teeth and gums to remove food particles. 

Most kids are ready to brush their own teeth around age six to nine. Look out for signs that your child has the agility to manage a toothbrush. Make toothbrushing time fun. Grab your own toothbrush and brush alongside your child.

However, one of the most important preventive dental care elements for kids is visiting the dentist. Your child should have their first trip to the dentist around the time their first tooth comes in or their first birthday, whichever comes first. Getting your child used to going to their pediatric dentist is one of the most critical steps in helping your child feel safe at the dentist.

What we do to make your child feel safe and comfortable at the dentist.

Remember that list of things to look for when finding a safe and fun dentist for your kids? At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we’re proud to say that we can check off all of those items on your list. We have offices in Hastings, Grand Island, North Platte, and Omaha, providing dental care convenience for all of our young patients and their families. Our teams offer a safe, fun, and consistent experience. And it is our goal to make you both feel comfortable the moment you walk through the door.

Our dentists are all highly experienced in working with children and their parents. And, we are well-versed in partnering with parents of special-needs children to make sure that they too can have a safe, comfortable, and fun trip to the dentist. When you visit Pediatric Dental Specialists, you can expect the following:

• An experienced and caring team.
• The latest in dental technologies to create a safe and pain-free experience.
• Dental care for children of all ages.
• Convenience through our four Nebraska locations.

Schedule your child’s next dental visit at Pediatric Dental Specialists. 

Whether your child will be a new patient or is due for their next cleaning, we make it easy to request an appointment. All you need to do is request an appointment with our easy-to-use online form. We’ll then work with you to schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient for you and your child. And we promise your child will be safe and comfortable at every visit they make to our dental office.

We look forward to seeing you.