You may be tempted to leave your child in her crib with her favorite bottle overnight: She stays full and happy, and you stay happy because you don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to feed her. However, you may actually be causing her tooth to decay in the process.

In the event that your child experiences a serious dental emergency, even if it occurs over night or during the weekend, don’t hesitate to contact a children’s emergency dentist as quickly as possible. A pediatric dentist understands that time is of the essence when an emergency involved your children, and that’s why you can always contact the office if the need arises.

Just like adults, some children are stricken with real fear when it is time to go to the dentist. In fact, the feelings of anxiety and fear tend to be magnified for a child who is unfamiliar with the sights, sounds, and feelings of the dental office. To some degree, this fear can be managed when the parent and the dental team work together to build the child’s trust and confidence. However, when the child is unable to cope with her anxiety, or when the planned dental procedure is expected to be particularly lengthy, it may be necessary to tap into additional resources.

Some parents may have apprehension about their children’s first visit to the dentist, but there’s no need for concern about the initial experience with a pediatric dentist. Your son or daughter should not experience any discomfort at that first appointment.