Pediatric Dentist in Margate,
South Florida
Going to a pediatric dentist should be a positive and fun experience for all children! We are committed to providing an enjoyable and comfortable environment that helps children feel more at ease.
The ideal time for your child’s first visit to our office is around the time of his or her first birthday. The first visit allows us to evaluate the development of your child’s mouth, review how to care for these new teeth, and help stop or prevent any harmful habits. Prevention and education are two of the best treatments we can offer. We believe the best pediatric dentistry starts at home!
We strive to make every visit to our office healthful, educational and enjoyable for both the child and the parent.
We recognize that many adults have had or still have ‘dental anxieties’ and that sometimes those anxieties may be inadvertently or subconsciously conveyed to your child. To avoid this, we’ve outlined some pre-planning tips you as the parent can do to help both you and your child have a great experience at our office.
- Very young children don’t have a realistic sense of time. Wait until the day of the appointment to inform your child. Tell them you’re going to visit a tooth doctor who will count their teeth and teach them how to take care of their teeth.
- Emphasize the adventure of visiting a new place, meeting new people and being the center of attention. Do NOT use words like ‘drill,’ ‘hurt’ or ‘needle’ – they are inappropriate and will only create anxiety in your child.
- Go to our website and let them watch our video on the Home page and perhaps show your child the photos of the doctor, and her team by going to our “About Us” page.
- We examine infants and toddlers while sitting on their parent’s lap in the dental chair.
- If your child has a special toy or a blanket they rely on when they are anxious, please bring it to the appointment. We check teeth of dolls and stuffed animals, too, so if your child has a favorite one, please bring it!
- Parents can be present while their child is being examined and to interact with the pediatric dentist and staff. We explain everything in an age appropriate manner so your child learns while having fun.
What happens during the pediatric exam?
At every exam we will review your child’s health history; take any necessary x-rays; clean your child’s teeth (if any are present); conduct a thorough clinical examination of your child’s mouth, palate, gums, tongue and teeth; and teach them about good food choices and how to brush and floss their teeth. Prevention in pediatric dentistry is the best treatment we can offer!
After every examination, we provide parents with essential information about your child’s dental health:
- An assessment of your child’s risk for decay;
- An evaluation of your child’s soft tissues and gums;
- An evaluation of your child’s bite and dental growth.
The saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is true when it comes to dental care for kids.
Prevention is the key! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily and add floss picks when the teeth start touching. Make sure your child has a healthy balanced diet avoiding gummy vitamins, fruit snacks, fruit roll ups, and other sticky sugary candies. Milk and juice contain sugar and should be limited in frequency and to mealtime. Proper homecare, regular pedriatric dental visits, and a balanced diet will set the precedent for a lifetime of healthy habits.
Did you know that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related problems? Parents and caregivers can help prevent lost school days by teaching their children to follow the 2-2-2 rule. The 2-2-2 rule is easy to follow and includes three simple steps: Visit the pediatric dentist two times each year. Brush and floss your teeth two times each day. Brush your teeth for two whole minutes.