Category: Childs First Dental Visit

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Prepare Your Child For The Dentist With These Cartoons, Videos and Books

Looking to prepare your child for their first dental visit? At Lane and Associates Family Dentistry, we’re here to help! There are so many resources available to help ease you and your child’s worries of going to the dentist. Below is a complete list of cartoons, videos, and books that our staff has recommended to help you and your child prepare for your first dental visit at Lane and Associates Family Dentistry.

Cartoons & Videos

These cartoons and videos are a fun way for your kids to learn about proper dental hygiene and how to prepare for their dentist appointment.

WHY DO WE BRUSH OUR TEETH:

One of the first things your child needs to understand about going to the dentist is why it’s so important. The video “Why Do We Brush Our Teeth?” explains the importance of dental hygiene. Children must understand why teeth need to be cleaned in order for a trip to the dentist to make sense. This video can also help make establishing a dental hygiene routine at home and daily brushing easier.

FINNY GOES TO THE DENTIST:

In this video, Papa Shark has a toothache but is afraid to go to the dentist. It’s up to little Finny to show him how to be brave. Telling your child the dentist isn’t scary is easy, but demonstrating it to them may be difficult when you face your own fears of the dentist as an adult. Remember that you are the best example your child has and they’re watching everything you do.

DANIEL TIGER VISITS THE DENTIST:

Daniel Tiger visits the dentist for the first time and learns all about the tools, plaque, and how the dentist cleans teeth. At the dentist, Daniel Tiger sings “When we do something new, let’s talk about what we’ll do.” Talking through what will happen at the pediatric dentist will make your child feel more relaxed. He even gets toy tools to use on his stuffed animal to feel more comfortable. This is a method you can use to help your child feel more comfortable before a dental cleaning, too.

PEPPA PIG GOES TO THE DENTIST:

In this episode, Peppa and George are busy brushing their teeth. They have to go to the dentist today for a checkup and Peppa really doesn’t want to go, but they explain how important it is to visit the Dentist. She agrees and they head out. This is a great example for children who may be apprehensive about their first dental visit.

HELLO KITTY & FRIENDS – BRUSH YOUR TEETH:

Younger children (ages 2 – 3 years old) would love this cartoon! Hello Kitty sings why it is important to brush your teeth in a very bubbly way. This would be a great cartoon to play as you teach your child to brush their teeth as well.

VISITING THE DENTIST:

The SciShow Kids do a great job of explaining a dental cleaning step-by-step. This video describes what a dental hygienist is and what they do. It shows photos of each of the tools used to clean teeth and demonstrated how they are used with animated clips. This thorough video should help answer any questions your child may have about visiting the dentist.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DENTIST:

Instead of a cartoon, this video is provided by an actual pediatric dentist walking through a dental cleaning step-by-step with a patient. The intent of this video was to help children feel more at ease before going to the dentist by knowing exactly what to expect.

A CHILD’S FIRST DENTIST VISIT:

This video is an animation narrated by a tooth who describes what it is like to visit the dentist for the first time. It explains what a dentist is and what they do to make sure your teeth are nice and healthy. A great short video to help describe what happens at the dentist.

VISITING THE DENTIST | BOO BOO SONG:

This is a video for our kids who are Cocomelon fans. This Little Angel Nursery song talks about how not forgetting rot brush and keeping your teeth clean is important. The song walks you through a dental visit and shows you how the dentists are here to help you with the mouth “boo-boo’s” and make you feel better when your teeth or mouth may hurt.

HEALTHY TEETH, HEALTHY ME: BRUSHY BRUSH – SESAME STREET:

You and your family can sing along with Elmo and some of his celebrity friends as he sings a song about the importance of brushing your teeth.

Recommended Books

These books are great resources to help your child alleviate the fears of going to the dentist.  They help them understand that good dental hygiene and regular trips to the dentist will lead to a healthy smile!

  1. PEPPA PIG: DENTIST TRIP
  2. DANIEL GOES TO THE DENTIST (DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD)
  3. THE BERENSTAIN BEARS VISIT THE DENTIST
  4. DORA GOES TO THE DENTIST (DORA THE EXPLORER)
  5. ABC DENTIST: HEALTHY TEETH FROM A TO Z
  6. JUST GOING TO THE DENTIST (LITTLE CRITTER)
  7. BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH!
  8. THE TOOTH BOOK (DR. SEUSS)
  9. THE TOOTH BOOK: A GUIDE TO HEALTHY TEETH AND GUMS
  10. READY, SET, BRUSH! (SESAME STREET)
  11. IF YOU DON’T BRUSH YOUR TEETH

At Lane Kids! We’re Here to Help Guide Your Child Towards Great Dental Health

At Lane and Associates Family Dentistry, we are here to help during your child’s smile journey! To learn more about all of our Kids Dentistry services, visit us at www.lanedds.com/lanekids or call us at 877-LANEDDS (526-3337).

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What’s Happening at LAA? 

Stormy outside Lane and Associates Wake Forest Road Office

We had a very special guest at our Wake Forest Road location last week! Stormy, the mascot of the Hurricanes, was here for his annual dental checkup. We had a great time hanging out with Stormy and are so glad that he prioritizes his routine dental care. After all, Lane and Associates is the Official Team Dentist of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Our Wake Forest Road staff always looks forward to seeing Stormy and spending time with him. Dr. Lane, Dr. Wright, and Dr. Bailey had a chance to support our favorite hockey team, GO CANES!

Are you looking to see more about what happened during our visit with Stormy? Well, you’re in luck. You’ll be able to check out Stormy’s visit at Lane and Associates Family Dentistry in our upcoming TV commercial! It will be airing on TV very soon so keep an eye out for it and let us know if you see it.  Tag us on social media (@lanedds) and let us know what you think!

In the meantime, you can check out some behind-the-scenes photos of our filming day here at our Wake Forest Road location.

 

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Lane Kids Pediatric Dentistry 

Did you know that Lane and Associates Family Dentistry now offers Pediatric Dentistry at our Durham, St. Charles, and Dunn locations! That’s right, LAA offers a complete range of pediatric dental care services that are perfect for your little one.

Our Pediatric Dental Services at Lane Kids Dentistry include dental cleanings, sealants, safe sedation, dental care education, nutrition guidance, and much more. It’s never been easier and more fun for your child’s first dental visit.

Just ask Braxton & Trevor, who recently had their first Pediatric Dental visit with Dr. Tori Gill at our Cary St. Charles dental office.

“The boys had a great time and they really loved the kids’ music, cartoons, and the fun space-themed graphics that decorated the entire office”, said Mom. “Everything, from when we checked-in to when we checked-out was perfect and I loved how we got to enjoy the experience together as a family”.

Braxton added, “It was a great visit, but my favorite part was the treasure box. It had the coolest toys!”

Keep reading for more information on quality Dental Care for Children at Lane and Associates Family Dentistry.

When Should A Child Have Their First Dental Visit?

The American Dental Association and The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states: A child’s first dental visit should occur within six months after their first baby’s tooth appears, but no later than their first birthday.

Lane & Associates always has you covered with our children’s dental programs that start for children as young as of 6 months. These dental care programs allow us to grow with your child and build out a plan to ensure proper dental care throughout their life!

You can find our Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Gill at the following Lane and Associates locations: Cary St. Charles, Durham Miami Blvd & in Dunn. Schedule your child’s dental appointment today and take the next step towards receiving the best dental care your child deserves.

How To Care for Your Child’s Teeth At Home

To ensure that your child has great oral health from a young age, it is important to stay consistent in cleaning their teeth and even their gums before teeth start to arrive.

You can monitor your child’s oral health even before any baby teeth start to erupt. Many babies don’t start to show teeth until around 6 months. This doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything to care for your child’s oral health from before they even have any teeth.

When your child is between 3-6 months old, you can clean their gums with a soft-bristled infant toothbrush to keep their gums healthy. This can also help relieve pain when teeth start to come through their gums.

Once your child reaches 6 months and older, you can start to brush the few teeth that they may have twice a day as well as the gums where teeth haven’t yet come through. Continuing daily brushing is the key to giving your child excellent oral health from a young age.

Once your child reaches 3 years old, it is important to have them learn how to brush their teeth themselves with your assistance. Teaching your child the importance of brushing and how to do it, is a vital part of keeping their teeth and gums healthy.

How Often Should You Brush Your Child’s Teeth?

Brushing your child’s teeth twice a day is key to giving them great oral health as they grow older. Once they have grown old enough to brush their teeth with assistance, have them continue to brush on their own until they are capable of brushing their teeth by themselves.

You can also teach them how to lightly floss their teeth to encourage good habits. Having your child brush their teeth on their own is an important part of keeping their oral health in great shape.

Contact Lane and Associates Family Dentistry Today

Have your child come into our dental office to see one of our accommodating pediatric dentists today! Come visit the Lane and Associates office closest to you to improve your child’s oral health and learn how to properly take care of their teeth.

 

 

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Kid-Friendly Dentistry at LAA

We are so excited to announce that Dr. Victoria Gill, aka “Dr. Tori”, is joining Lane & Associates as our in-house Pediatric Dentist! Dr. Tori will begin seeing patients in our sister company NCOSO (NC Oral Surgery + Orthodontics) at the Cary St Charles and Durham Miami offices starting August 16th. She will also be accepting Medicaid patients at these locations. 

Pediatric Services Offered 

  • Dental Cleanings, X-rays, and Comprehensive Exams
  • Home Care Guidance
  • Fluoride Treatment
  • Sealants
  • Mouthguards
  • Education and Nutritional Guidance
  • Tooth-colored Crowns
  • Nitrous and Sedation Options
  • Space Maintenance and Appliances
  • Special Health Care Needs

Schedule Your Child’s Dental Appointment

To learn more about Dr. Tori and schedule an appointment, please visit our Lane Kids Dentistry page or request an appointment through our NCOSO website now!

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

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#LAAKidsColor 2024 Contest Announcement

We want to send a huge thank you to all of our amazing entries to the Kids Coloring Contest in February. We had SO MANY amazing entries. Our top three  prize winners have been chosen. Here’s a look at our winners!

2nd Place Prize Winner – Winning a $300 VISA Gift Card & a PNC Arena VIP Experience

Emmy

3rd Place Prize Winner – Winning a $100 VISA Gift Card & a PNC Arena VIP Experience

Brielle

And finally…DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

Our Grand Prize Winner of a $500 VISA Gift Card & a PNC Arena VIP Experience is…

TJ P.

 

Thank you for all of your creativity and we hope you had a fun time with us this February! #LAAKidsColor

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To celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month, Lane & Associates is excited to announce our Kid’s Coloring Contest! Throughout the month of February, we will be collecting coloring pages from kids age 12 and under to enter to win a $100 Marbles Kids Museum Prize pack!

FEBRUARY is Children’s Dental Health Month, so we wanted to let you know that our practice is always trying our best to help children achieve great dental health!

 

Visit our Coloring Contest page to download and print off your coloring pages! Simply color your page and then tag us on social media using #LAAKidsColor

LEARN MORE HERE

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Check out our Fayetteville Office updates!

We love the new Fayetteville office updates to our Lane Fayetteville location. Our goals were to improve the aesthetics at the office and give our Fayetteville kid patients some fun areas to enjoy while they wait for their appointments. We also installed new lobby furniture and updated the Lobby check-in area. Check out the photos below!

Our updates have already been a big hit with our Fayetteville area patients and we hope to keep improving. Some other updates have been our dental chairs, our X-ray machine, and our front lobby check-in counter!

Our office now has a brand new Kids Station

From coloring books to a stuffed animal to hold during the appointment to a baby tooth album to protect and store baby teeth, our new Kids area and First Visit program are an absolute hit. Visit our Fayetteville dental office today to schedule your Child’s First Dental Visit or learn more about our Child’s First Dental Visit Program here!

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BABY TEETH MAY BE TEMPORARY, but they’re certainly not “practice teeth.” Your child’s early dental care is so incredibly important! Did you know that your child could be seen at a dentist as early as 12-18 months? That’s why at Lane & Associates we will soon start offering Baby’s First Dental Visits! 

Baby Teeth Are Essential To Future Development

Baby teeth perform many functions, including:

  • Ensuring proper nutrition through chewing and eating
  • Aiding in speech development
  • Holding suitable space for permanent teeth to come in even and healthy
  • Creating the groundwork for good dental habits

 

We’re Experienced Working With Children

Since our launch of our Child’s First Dental Visit program in 2017, there has been an even greater desire from parents to have a ‘Baby’s First Visit’ option. You asked and we listened! Our Baby First Visit Kits will come with a special baby “toothbrush” that they can hold themselves, a cuddly teddy bear, and a free “First Dental Visit” zipper bag!

Our dentists who specialize in Baby Oral Exams are experts when it comes to your child’s dental health. Utilizing training from programs such as BOHP (Baby Oral Health Program) allows our offices to answer any questions you may have about your child’s oral health.

Let Us Know If You Ever Have Questions

We want to be your go-to resource whenever you have questions about your family’s dental care. We look forward to seeing you and your child soon!

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AT WHAT AGE SHOULD YOUR CHILD FIRST VISIT THE DENTIST?

Many parents have asked us “When should I bring my child to see the dentist for the first time?” and we thought it was time to explain.

 

In this article we will review:

  • The best age to bring in your child to the dentist.
  • Some common misconceptions about baby teeth.
  • How to prepare for your first visit.

 

THE BEST AGE FOR FIRST DENTAL APPOINTMENTS

Generally, all children should start seeing the dentist by the age their teeth start coming in. However, most dental and medical professionals recommend seeing the dentist well before. A visit by age 1 may seem young, but it helps set a precedent for your child’s oral health and gets them comfortable around their future dentist. These baby oral exams also give your child the opportunity to explore the surroundings of a dental office and avoids any future development of anxiety. Most children that have not been acclimated to a dental office until they are older have a higher degree of caution and nervousness at the dentist office.

Also, bringing in your child ahead of time allows dental professionals to ensure that your child’s development of baby teeth is coming along as expected. Dentists will examine their mouth, head, and neck so the sooner the child is brought in for an appointment the better.

 

MISCONCEPTIONS

The best course of action in oral health for your child is prevention. Many cases we see of children who present with decay are due to misconceptions about baby teeth. Did you know that baby’s teeth can decay soon after they first appear? This problem is frequently referred to as “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay” which is caused by long time exposure of a child’s teeth to liquids containing sugars and acids. These liquids, such as milk or juice, should be diluted to help with weening the child off of sugary liquids. You can also take a clean wash cloth with water and wipe the gums to prevent any sugars from remaining on the gum surface.

Dentists can also address other issues that present during the development of baby teeth and can recommend special preventative care for: teething irritations, gum disease, or even prolonged thumb-sucking.

 

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DENTAL VISIT

First, we suggest checking your child’s dental coverage with your dentist. Signing up for dental benefits at birth will ensure they are covered in time for early screenings.

The first dental visit will consist of a general overview of your child’s oral health. Be sure to bring your insurance card, photo ID, and filled-out paperwork. An examination will include: reviewing your child’s health history, an examination for normal growth and development, checking for cavities, and educating parents on good oral healthcare. This can range from brushing and flossing techniques to fluoride instructions and beyond. At Lane & Associates, we specialize in Baby Oral exams and Child’s First Dental Visits, read more about our specialized care and what our programs have to offer here.

With good oral healthcare you can be certain your child will have a beautiful and healthy smile for life!

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