Pediatric Dentistry in Sterling Heights, MI
Caring For Your Child’s Smile
We’re grateful to have the opportunity to guide younger patients towards a lifetime of optimal oral health. Our goal is to teach kids about caring for their smiles and show them that the dentist’s office is nothing to fear.
Our Sterling Heights pediatric dentist, Dr. Ragda Hindi, has a gentle, friendly chairside manner and always strives to get a smile out of our young patients. Our pediatric dental care team is dedicated to making your child feel comfortable, so they can have fun while we’re taking care of their teeth.
Establishing a Dental Home
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children should have their initial dental visit when their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday. Establishing a dental home can play a crucial role in your child’s development, in addition to their oral health.
Dr. Hindi will set a benchmark for your kid’s oral hygiene and help them get accustomed to biannual dental checkups, as well as our office environment and having our dental team examine their mouths. Children that start visiting the dentist at an early age are less likely to have dental anxiety.
Dental Tips & Tricks
We understand that getting your kid excited about brushing their teeth can be a challenge. Adding an oral hygiene routine to an already hectic morning and nighttime schedule can be a tall feat. At Sterling Heights Dentistry, we teach parents the tell-show-do method to help make at-home dental routines easier for both kids and their parents.
Tell
Explain to your little one how brushing and flossing can keep their teeth healthy and strong. Use kid-friendly terms and give your child a chance to ask any questions they may have.
Show
Kids look up to their parents and often copy what they do. Try brushing and flossing your teeth next to them so that you can show them how it’s done. You can even make a game out of it, whether that’s a two-minute brushing dance party or a game to get rid of the “sugar monsters” on your teeth.
Do
Kids often need assistance brushing and flossing their teeth until around the age of five. Try to keep a regular routine. You can also use little prizes to motivate your child to brush twice a day, such as stickers on a calendar.
How You Can Prepare for Your Child’s Dental Exam
Prior to your child’s dental appointment, there are a few ways you can make the process easier and help set them up for success, including:
- Speak positively about the dentist
- Choose a time of day when they’re likely to feel relaxed
- Bring their favorite toys
- Introduce them to books or television shows that show their favorite characters visiting the dentist
- Use positive reinforcement or provide a reward
Your impression is likely the one that matters most, so you’ll want to avoid using negative language. Instead, you can explain that special tools will be used to make sure their teeth are healthy. Even if you’ve had negative experiences in the past, it’s crucial to emphasize a positive perspective with your child.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to good oral hygiene habits, starting at a young age is key to a lifetime of healthy smiles. You’ll need to offer physical guidance for your child until they develop the motor skills necessary to do it on their own.
While motivating your child to brush their teeth can be challenging, we suggest setting a good example by brushing your teeth together or making a game out of it. If that doesn’t work, you can try a singing toothbrush, or a fun-flavored toothpaste and floss. Be sure to let them pick out their dental supplies.
You can also track your kid’s hygiene habits with a calendar and stickers that represent the days they complete their oral care routine. After they obtain a certain amount of stickers, you can reward them with a small prize or a celebratory visit to the park. Another way to get your child involved is to introduce them to TV shows or movies that show their favorite characters brushing their teeth.
If you’re still having difficulties motivating your child to participate in their oral health routine, be sure to ask our staff for recommendations and we’ll happily provide you with some helpful tips.
A dental sealant is a painless and effective way to protect your child’s teeth from damage and decay. This clear plastic coating is “painted” onto the biting surface of a tooth, creating a protective barrier against bacteria, plaque, and acid. With the help of sealants, your child can maintain a healthy smile well into adulthood.
If you’re interested in learning more about dental sealants or other ways we can help prevent tooth decay, contact our Sterling Heights office by calling (586) 939-5151 and one of our knowledgeable team members will be happy to answer your questions.
A general dentist treats patients of all ages, while a pediatric dentist treats child-specific dental issues. Children’s teeth are different from adults, so it requires special training and skills to provide dental care for young patients.
Children may also undergo some challenges when visiting the dentist. Some common issues include not being able to sit still in the chair, as well as fear of dental appointments. A pediatric dentist is trained to help children feel more comfortable at the dentist’s office.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), your child should begin seeing a dentist soon after their first tooth erupts, or no later than their first birthday. Many parents don’t realize how early dental visits can be beneficial to a child’s oral health.
Our pediatric dentist in Sterling Heights can help protect your child’s teeth against oral disease and teach you how to care for their oral health from an early age. Oral disease can damage their teeth early on, so protecting them is crucial. Even though children will lose their primary teeth as they get older, not taking care of these teeth can have detrimental health effects that will carry over into their adult years.
Kids Dentistry Done Right
You don’t want to trust just anyone with your child’s smile. After all, these foundational years will determine the course for their oral health. Contact our office to schedule your child’s dental appointment by giving us a call at (586) 939-5151. Our Sterling Heights family dentist will provide the comfortable care your child needs, so you can relax knowing they’re in good hands.