We understand that when you’re considering having children, picking their dentist is probably far down on your list of priorities.
However, it’s not a bad time to consider family dentists, even if having children is still a vague plan for the future.
Choosing a family dentist now has many benefits for you and your future family.
Comfortably Prepared
Think of choosing a family dentist like choosing a house in a neighborhood with good schools, even if it’s years before your child will ever attend them. You are getting yourself comfortable and ready for eventual choices you will need to make.
There are many dentists who advertise themselves as family dentists, but don’t actually see children, or see them reluctantly. You want to have full confidence in a family dentist before you decide to take your child to them. Getting that comfortable with a family dentist can take years, so it’s best to start now. That way, you can try a few if necessary before you have a baby. Believe us: once the baby comes, hunting around for a new dentist is literally the last thing you want to be doing.
Maintain Your Oral Health
We know many young adults don’t prioritize visiting a dentist. However, this is something you need to do before you decide to have children. Picking your family dentist now will help you keep on track with regular dental checkups.
Being in good oral health is an essential prerequisite to having a healthy pregnancy. Oral health problems like gum disease can increase your risk for pregnancy complications, including premature birth and low birth weight.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make it harder to maintain good oral health, so it’s important to be in good health beforehand.
Also, it’s important to know that you should keep up your regular dental visits during pregnancy. There might be some procedures we will postpone until after your baby is born, but there are more risks from skipping a dental visit than in keeping it.
Have Access to Tongue Tie Specialist
Among the services you want from a family dentist is tongue tie release (frenectomy). Tongue tie and lip tie are when membranes called frenula don’t just secure the tongue and/or lips, but restrict their movement. This provides immediate challenges for a baby, making it harder for them to nurse.
In addition to nursing challenges, tongue tie can cause problems with learning to speak later in life. Tongue tie can also affect the development of the teeth and jaws.
If your child has restrictive tongue tie, you will want to have it treated early. With the stress of having a newborn who is feeding poorly–which leads to crankiness and short sleep for everyone in the house–you would much rather already have a dentist you can go to than be searching around and calling unknown dentists for appointments.
Lactation Consultants
Breastfeeding is natural and healthy for babies, and it’s good for mothers who want to bond with their new child. But while breastfeeding might be natural, it’s not always easy. Learning to breastfeed properly is often a challenge for a new mother, whether or not your child has tongue tie. The help of a lactation consultant can make all the difference.
Fort Memorial Hospital employs lactation consultants as part of its Baby Friendly initiative. But working with a lactation consultant is very personal, and you might be more comfortable working with someone you already know. Some family dentists employ dental assistants who are also lactation consultants. Having a lactation consultant you’ve already been working with can make the process more comfortable for you.
Choose Services You Might Want in the Future
Apart from family dentists who don’t actually see children, not all family dentists will offer the same services to children.
All family dentists should perform dental cleanings and exams, fillings and other restorative dentistry, and periodontics. However, not all family dentists will offer orthodontics.
Still fewer family dentists will offer orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT). OMT can provide several benefits for your child. It can help you identify and treat developmental problems of the jaw. It can serve as a minimally invasive early interceptive orthodontics, helping to ensure teeth grow straight. OMT can even help ensure proper development of the airway and avoid problems like overbite and receding chin.
When choosing your family dentist early, you can peruse these services at your leisure and figure out which matter to you, rather than having to make a decision under the pressure of time, which might cause you to neglect services you will want later.
Comprehensive Family Dentistry in Fort Atkinson
If you are looking for a family dentist in Fort Atkinson, BKS Dental is a great choice. We offer comprehensive family dentistry services that include tongue tie release, lactation consultation, orthodontics, and OMT for children. We are also prepared to provide for all your dental needs, now and in the future with preventive and restorative dentistry, including dentures.
Want to learn more about what makes BKS Dental a great family dentistry practice? Please call (920) 563-7323 or use our online form to schedule an appointment at our Fort Atkinson dental office.
