You’ve ascertained the importance of regular visits to the Red Deer dentist and have decided to make an appointment for your entire family. Your children may be different ages, your spouse may not want to go, and you yourself may be experiencing some type of anxiety. Take the pressure off yourself, and ease your family’s fears as well. Communication is key, but you’ll have to communicate with everyone differently when preparing them for a dental appointment. And, you may also need to do a bit of preparation yourself.
For Children Ages 6mos – 12yrs
If this is their first visit to the Red Deer dentist, they’re likely horrified. Ease your child’s fears by telling them what’s going to happen, but don’t use the terms ‘drill’, ‘cavity’ or anything else that might provoke even more fear. You want to do everything you can to make sure that your child isn’t frightened by the experience. If your child is older, and asks questions, be frank with them, but don’t be harsh. Don’t convey your own fears to the child either. Explain to them that they’re just going to let someone look at their mouth and make sure everything is OK. Tell them why this is important. Make sure you explain that the Red Deer dentist is a doctor, only for your mouth. A checkup is routine, just like a medical examination, and just as important.
Make sure the atmosphere at the office of the dentist in Red Deer is child friendly. Meet with the dentist in Red Deer beforehand to discuss how he might handle your child if they refuse to cooperate. If possible, tell them you’d like to be in the room with them while they do the exam. If your child insists on being brave and going in on his own, make sure to tell them you’re nearby and that you’ll be there if you need them.
For Teenagers Ages 13-16
Teenagers are a bit more difficult to handle. If this is their first visit, they’ll probably talk to you more about what scares them, what concerns they have, or anything else regarding their teeth. Likely, at this age, they’ll want to be by themselves at the appointment. Give them this courtesy. They know you’re nearby, but reassure them anyway.
Encourage them to ask their Red Deer dentist questions and talk to him about what’s going on with their mouths. When he puts up x-rays of their teeth, tell them to ask about them. Teenagers don’t need things sugarcoated or simplified like children do. They like to be talked to like adults, and your Red Deer dentist will probably give them this courtesy. It will give them a sense of responsibility to have a direct hand in their own treatment. If possible, allow them to make their own choices as far as an oral health care routine or appointment scheduling is concerned. You, as a parent, can follow up with questions of your own, since your teenager may have missed something important in the process. You can also give friendly reminders. Again, communication is key.
For General Purposes
For you, your spouse, or anyone else going to the Red Deer dentist for the first time, make sure that you have your family medical history on hand. You’ll be filling out forms asking about diseases that may run on both sides of your family. Don’t hide anything while filling out the forms. Your dentist in Red Deer needs to know about all illnesses that may run in your family, from depression to cancer. It doesn’t matter if it’s embarrassing; remember, your Red Deer dentist is just another doctor. You may think something isn’t important, when in actuality it could be the cause of your dental problems in the first place. This is especially true of diabetes, or if you’re under any type of stress, as both of these conditions increase plaque buildup in the mouth.
You’ll also need a list of medications you or anyone else is taking. If you’ve recently been treated for a medical condition – even if it’s as simple as the common cold – make sure you tell your Red Deer dentist. Also, make sure that you have a list of any surgeries you may have had performed on you in the past. Finally, after each visit, get a copy of your records if at all possible. You should have a copy of medical records for your entire family just in case of a Red Deer dental emergency.
