Velk Family Dentistry welcomes patients at the age of three! We call the first visit the"happy visit" because our goal is to introduce your child to the world of dentistry and make it a happy experience.
One of the most important components of pediatric dentistry is child psychology. Velk Family Dentistry tries to create a friendly, fun, social atmosphere for visiting children, and avoids threatening words like “drill,” “needle,” and “injection.” Dental phobias beginning in childhood often continue into adulthood, so it is of paramount importance that children have positive experiences and find their “dental home” as early as possible.
Velk Family Dentistry places particular emphasis on the proper maintenance and care of deciduous (baby) teeth, which are instrumental in facilitating good chewing habits, proper speech production, and also hold space for permanent teeth.
Other important focuses include:
Education – We educate the child using models, computer technology, and child-friendly terminology, thus emphasizing the importance of keeping teeth strong and healthy. In addition, we advise parents on disease prevention, trauma prevention, good eating habits, and other aspects of the home hygiene routine.
Monitoring growth – By continuously tracking growth and development, we are able to anticipate dental issues and quickly intervene before they worsen. Also, working towards earlier corrective treatment preserves the child’s self-esteem and fosters a more positive self-image.
Prevention – Helping parents and children establish sound eating and oral care habits reduces the chances of later tooth decay. In addition to providing check ups and dental cleanings, dentists are also able to apply dental sealants and topical fluoride to young teeth, advise parents on thumb-sucking and the use of pacifiers, and provide good demonstrations of brushing and flossing.
Intervention – In some cases, dentists may discuss the possibility of early oral treatments with parents. In the case of premature loss of the baby teeth, bruxism (grinding), oral injury, and malocclusion (bad bite); there are things the dentist can suggest to avoid future complications.
Some examples are:
- space maintainers may be fitted to avoid drifting of teeth which averts the need for more extensive costly orthodontic treatment in the future.
- a nighttime mouth guard may be recommended to stop the unnatural wear of teeth.
- Velk Family Dentistry can provide assistance with referrals to recommended qualified specialists in your area who are specifically trained to handle trauma, reconstructive surgery, or deviations in normal growth patterns.
We love children and have successfully treated many over the years! If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child, please call Velk Family Dentistry at 951-609-0445.
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