Kids! The Dentist Isn't As Scary As You Think

OK, adults. It's time to give us some time alone with the kids. So go ahead and leave the room so the kids have a chance to learn a little bit about going to a kids' dentist without their parents hovering around. Go on. We'll call you back in when we're done.

OK, kids. Are they gone? Good. Let's talk about going to the dentist.

You probably associate going to the dentist with things like drills, cavities, shots and toothaches, right? And you probably get a fluttery feeling in your stomach every time it's time to head to the dentist for a checkup. right? We know. The dentist's office -- even a kids' dentist -- isn't exactly Disneyland.

Not So Bad!
But what if we told you that going to the dentist doesn't have to be such a bad thing? Or that being a little bit uncomfortable now could prevent you from being really really really uncomfortable later? Or that the reason we call ourselves a kids' dentist is that we try very hard to make your visit as easy and as painless as possible?

Just Another Kind of Doctor
A dentist is just another kind of doctor -- a doctor who's trained to work on teeth. For kids, a dentist's job is to make sure teeth grow in straight and proper. It's very important for kids to visit the dentist twice a year -- every six months -- to make sure their teeth are coming in properly.

Think about it: If there's something wrong with your teeth that's preventing them from coming in properly, wouldn't you rather have it taken care of as soon as possible, rather than allow it to get worse? That's why regular checkups are important.

The Big Chair
When you go, the dentist will sit you down in a big chair and make sure you're comfortable. (Don't be afraid to let him or her know if you're not comfortable; if you're squirming around trying to find a good position, it'll make the job harder for the dentist.) Then he or she will take a good long look at your teeth, checking for problems like cavities.

X-Rays
The dentist will probably take x-rays of your teeth. This doesn't hurt at all and only takes a few seconds. You'll have to bite down on a tiny piece of plastic, but that's the worst part.

Cleaning
The dentist, or a dental hygienist, will clean and floss your teeth. This is pretty simple and painless. He or she may scrape some plaque -- a sticky substance that can coat your teeth and cause cavities -- from your teeth. This isn't painful, but the sound can be a little annoying. It's a small price to pay for avoiding cavities.

Flossing involves pulling a waxed string in between your teeth, to pull away particles that your brush can't reach. It's totally painless, and some people even find it pleasant.

Cavities
If your dentist finds you have a cavity, he or she will probably schedule another appointment for you to come back and get it filled. To fill it, he'll use special tools to remove the decayed part of your tooth, then fill it in with a strong material.

Before he does this, he'll have to give you a small shot of medicine that'll make the area around your tooth feel numb. The shot itself may hurt a little bit for a moment -- no more than about ten seconds. Your mouth and part of your face may feel a little weird for an hour or so after your dentist fixes the cavity -- sort of numb and rubbery. But afterwards your tooth will be as strong as ever!