Parents can be anxious enough about their child’s dental appointments. We’re parents, too, so we know the feeling! So it can be very difficult and inconvenient to have to change a long standing appointment you have made for dental care. But there are circumstances when your child might get too uncomfortable (or be too contagious), and everyone would benefit from keeping them home.
Is my child faking?
We’ve been asked this question a few times! Kids can be understandably scared of going to the dentist. They may not express this trepidation beforehand. But when the day rolls around you might find them refusing to get out of bed, complaining of a headache or fever.
While it isn’t always possible to tell, if your child doesn’t have a fever and you suspect it might be “jitters,” let us know before you arrive or when you arrive that you think that might be the case. We will go out of our way to help your little one feel comfortable and we might even just do a little office “tour” or check up to help them get comfortable in our office environment. This acclimation can pay incredible dividends.
This first visit also helps kids see the dentist in a positive light. No pressure. No pain! Only a nice, friendly visit to meet the dentist (and go home with some swag like stickers and other prizes).
Real illnesses
On the other hand, if your child is really sick, it’s easy to tell. Fever, coughing or sneezing (or both), diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting… These are symptoms not easily faked, and are real signs of an illness. Put quite simply, if your child is too ill to attend daycare or school, we probably shouldn’t put him/her through a dental appointment.
Aside from reducing the risk of passing on the illness, staying home will speed up your child’s recovery and keep him/her comfy.
Brush and change the toothbrush!
Keep up with the twice-daily brushing to help remove bacteria in the mouth. After the illness goes away, you’ll need a new toothbrush so your child has a bacteria-free toothbrush that can be started on Day 1 of feeling great!
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
