Dentist question for my son

I need to schedule my son’s first dental appointment. He will be 5 yrs old in October. I know I should have taken him sooner. I think my fear of the dentist has made me delay his first appointment. How do I prepare him for the appointment? – Melissa

Melissa – If you have already chosen the dentist for your son’s appointment, you can take your son to see the office and meet the staff. If your dentist is a family dentist who also treats children, take your son with you to your dental appointment so he can see your successful appointment. Don’t mention your fear of the dentist to your son. If you don’t have an appointment scheduled before your son will need his visit, stop by your dentist’s office to introduce your son to the staff.

Explain to your son that he is going to get his teeth checked and cleaned just as adults do. He will have healthy teeth and a nice smile.

If you are still deciding upon a dentist for your son and your own dentist treats children, both you and your son may be more comfortable there. If you haven’t made a decision on where your child where be treated, visit a few dental offices with your son to ensure you are both comfortable with the office environment and the staff.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Teeth whitening for free?

LaSt week I saw a website that featured a few teeth whitening kits with 30 day free trials, but I can’t find the site again now. Can you tell me about free teeth whitening kits that really work? I found your site but I live in Odessa. Thanks Samantha

Samantha – Your request is common. The most effective free teeth-whitening you can get will come from a dentist. There are dentists, like Dr. Miranda Lacy who offer free take-home whitening treatment if you stay current with your dental exams and cleanings.

It is unlikely that free teeth-whitening kits you order online will be effective. You may get limited results, but they won’t compare to the professional-strength whitening gel that dentists provide.

You might try Internet searches for dentists with free teeth whitening. Include the name of your city or nearby cities in the search words you enter. If you can’t find free whitening from a dentist in your area, you will likely be able to find a dentist who can make the take-home kit affordable for you.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

How can I get over my phobia from dentists?

i’ve had dental problems ever since i can remember.  in the past, several dentists made painful mistakes with my teeth…and i started to hate going to the dentist…and put off visiting them…and now my teeth are so bad I am ashamed to smile…what can help me get over my fear? Tab

Tab – Find a dentist who is concerned about your comfort. You will find websites for dentists who feature gentle dentistry or comfort dentistry.

These dentists and their staffs enjoy treating anxious patients, and they will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. If you are especially anxious, nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation can be used to calm you during your dental procedure.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.