Kid Friendly Dentist Alcoa, TN

A kid friendly dentist is a dental professional who has the unique skills and experience to provide professional dental care and comfort for children and younger patients. Kid friendly dentists desire to provide children with positive experiences at the dental office. The office and waiting room are both designed to create a kid friendly environment, with friendly staff ready to assuage any fears or concerns.

A kid friendly dentist is available at Appalachian Dental in Alcoa and the surrounding area. Get your child started on the road to good oral health. Call Appalachian Dental today at (865) 379-7555 to set up an appointment.

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    Ages Treated by a Kid Friendly Dentist

    Taking your child to a dentist tuned in specifically to children’s needs can help alleviate the stress and anxiety that comes with visits. This allows for a positive association at a young age with dental hygiene and helps curate healthy lifelong habits. Our staff is warm and used to engaging with children, allowing for easy and fun interactions as soon as each child walks through the door.

    A kid friendly dentist can make dentistry a pleasant experience for children of any age, even your kindergartener. Kid friendly dentists have the expertise needed to make little ones feel safe and sound in the dentist’s chair. It is essential for children to get the dental care they need early on, so parents should never delay to get them the treatment they need.

    “A kid friendly dentist can make dentistry a pleasant experience for children of any age, even your kindergartener.”

    Qualities That Make a Kid Friendly Dentist Unique

    Our waiting room is kid friendly, ensuring our patients are at optimum comfort from the moment they walk through the door. We know that kids do not have the same patience as adults, so we do not think they need to have the same waiting space. Child friendly furniture, toys, reading materials, and other safe and fun items are available to entertain little hands and minds while they wait.

    We also know that not all supplies are created equal. Dental tools made for adults are often too large to work correctly for procedures in smaller mouths and can cause discomfort or even damage. Our instruments and supplies are varied to fit even our littlest patients' needs.

    “Our waiting room is kid friendly, ensuring our patients are at optimum comfort from the moment they walk through the door.”

    Kid friendly dentist infographic: Children often require a gentler touch that kid friendly dentists can provide.
    Kid friendly dentist infographic: Kid friendly dentists can provide general services as well as lifestyle interventions.

    Concerns Treated by a Kid Friendly Dentist

    At Appalachian Dental, we check for issues that may develop from pacifier use, thumb sucking, or other common childhood habits that can affect dental health. We also watch for tooth decay signs that may come from poor nutrition or insufficient brushing and flossing.

    It is also crucial to note that oral health is inextricably linked to overall health. Any tooth decay or gum disease may lead to other forms of disease later on. As such, a kid friendly dentist will closely monitor a child’s gum health. A kid friendly dentist must also closely monitor a child’s baby teeth, as these effectively act as placeholders for the permanent teeth.

    “At Appalachian Dental,we provide general oral health examinations and visits, along with more specialized treatments based on the needs of our young patients. “

    Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Kid Friendly Dentist in Alcoa, TN

    General Treatments Provided

    Our team provides general oral health examinations and visits, along with more specialized treatments based on the needs of our young patients. We can provide sealants to help minimize the potential for decay and fillings when cavities become problematic in both baby teeth and permanent ones.

    We also keep a close watch on how teeth are coming in behind baby teeth. We can use technology to spot problems before they become an issue. This allows us to perform preventive procedures and to create any necessary game plans early on, such as utilizing braces or retainers to minimize the effects down the road.

    “Our team provides general oral health examinations and visits, along with more specialized treatments based on the needs of our young patients.”

    How Kid Friendly Dentists Work

    A kid friendly dentist will also be familiar with behavioral techniques to help reduce fear and anxiety. These can include calming techniques and methods to help diffuse the stress that comes with painful or uncomfortable procedures. For instance, they may use the "teach back" technique to ensure that patients understand what they have learned about oral hygiene in a stress-free manner.

    A kid friendly dentist is perfect for children who are intimidated by the prospect of being in the dentist’s chair. We communicate with them in simple and easy-to-understand terms to explain what we are doing. We are careful not to use scary jargon or speak in a way that may cause a patient to feel intimidated. It is important for us that our patients understand what we are trying to convey and feel like they are part of the process. Trust is integral in a healthy relationship, and we know good communication is vital in achieving that.

    “A kid friendly dentist is perfect for children who are intimidated by the prospect of being in the dentist’s chair.”

    Kid friendly dentist infographic: A kid friendly dentist can treat children of any age.
    Kid friendly dentist infographic: A kid friendly dentist knows how to assuage a child's fears in the dentist's chair.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Kid Friendly Dentists

    Q. Will a kid friendly dentist explain oral hygiene to my child?

    A. Yes, at Appalachian Dental, we explain to your child how they can maintain proper oral hygiene. We know this is new to our patients and that it takes practice to create habits. We give both our patients and their parents specific instructions on what the children should do, how to do it, and how often.

    Q. Can we tour the kid friendly dentist office before the appointment?

    A. Give us a call, and we may be able to schedule an office tour for you and your little one. This will allow you to meet the staff to create more of a sense of familiarity when the actual appointment comes around. It also gives your child a chance to see where they will be sitting during the appointment and ask questions about tools and other items that may be in the office.

    Q. Can I be in the room with my child during the kid friendly dentist visit?

    A. While you ultimately have the choice of whether to accompany your child, keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages parents of older children to stay in the waiting room. Younger children may benefit from having a parent present in the room, but it is best to keep out of sight for the duration of the visit. As a silent observer, you can allow the dentist to connect with the patient and establish trust with your child.

    Q. Who is an ideal patient for a kid friendly dentist?

    A. An ideal patient for a kid friendly dentist is a youth who may not be comfortable yet in an adult setting. Someone who needs to learn about oral hygiene and is willing to learn and practice dental health basics is a perfect candidate. The child friendly atmosphere can help an otherwise unsure youth wade into appointments in a pressure-free setting.

    Q. What should I take to my child’s first kid friendly dentist appointment?

    A. If your child has been to a dental professional in the past, bring along the records. If there are medical issues that might affect your child’s oral health, be sure to bring them as well. Have all insurance cards and information on hand so you can properly fill out the forms upon arrival and copies can be made in the office. Finally, if your child has a stuffed animal or another toy that offers emotional solace, bring it along for extra comfort.

    Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile

    By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.

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    Family Dental Terminology

    Dental Caries
    Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
    Dental Sealants
    Dental sealants are a solution of plastic material that we apply to the crown of the tooth to protect the areas within the ridges of teeth from infection.
    Dental Prophylaxis
    A dental prophylaxis is a thorough cleaning procedure that involves preventing the spread or continued growth of periodontal disease and gingivitis.
    Dentist
    A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
    Etchant
    Etchant is a gentle acid to treat the surface of a specific tooth to help the filling material stick to the tooth.
    Occlusion
    Occlusion describes the mandibular and maxillary rows of teeth meeting when the patient bites down. If a patient does not have a healthy bite, they are struggling with malocclusion.
    Overjet
    An overjet is a bite orientation that results from the maxillary central incisors (top center teeth) protruding over the mandibular central incisors (bottom front teeth); this may also be known as “buck teeth” by patients.
    Pregnancy Gingivitis
    Pregnancy gingivitis is gingivitis that results from the common change in hormones during pregnancy that increases blood flow to the gum tissue, increasing sensitivity, irritability and swelling in the gums.

    Learn More About Kid Friendly Dentists

    While early dental care is a priority, it can be intimidating when considering potential expenses such as braces or extractions. However, a flexible spending account, or FSA, is often helpful when it comes to picking up the financial slack. Check with your employer to review your FSA options. It is important to get your child's dental exams scheduled regularly and begin creating a relationship. Contact Appalachian Dental in Alcoa at 865-379-7555 to set an appointment with a kid friendly dentist.

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    About our business and website security

    • Appalachian Dental was established in 1997.
    • We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
    • We serve patients from the following counties: Blount County, Monroe County, Loudon County, Sevier County, and Knox County
    • We serve patients from the following cities: Alcoa, Maryville, Rockford, Vonore, Lenoir City, Madisonville, Sevierville, Seymour, Knoxville, and Walland
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