FAQ: Your Child’s Dental Health

preventative family dental careV. Lynn Morgan, DDS is a family and general dental office in Severna Park, Maryland. We provide comprehensive and compassionate dental care to patients of all ages starting at 2 years of age through adulthood. We also see children younger than 2 years of age for emergency care. Many patients often ask us how many questions regarding the betterment of their children’s overall dental health. The following are answers to frequently asked questions regarding family dentistry:

My child is grinding their teeth in their sleep. What can be done?

Teeth grinding is a dental concern that often goes unchecked for a while before it is eventually diagnosed. This is because patients who grind their teeth often do so while they are asleep. If you notice your child is grinding their teeth together in their sleep, it’s important to mention this to your dentist. The sooner we address your child’s teeth grinding habit, the less likely they are to develop jaw pain disorders like TMJ later on in life. We offer a range of treatment options including bite guards and corrective procedures to decrease the grinding, clenching, and thus the potential damage of your child’s teeth. Younger patients may especially benefit from using a night guard while they sleep as a minimally invasive approach to addressing this concern.

My child is nervous about their dentist appointment. What can be done?

Visiting the dentist’s office is an anxiety-provoking experience for a lot of patients, especially younger ones. We completely understand that going to the dentist isn’t everyone’s favorite activity. That’s why our dental care team places an emphasis on providing compassionate, patient-centric care. Our team will take their time in explaining to your child what they can expect every step of the way during the appointment. We are happy to answer questions and allow them to get to know our equipment and procedures at their own pace. Additionally, we encourage anxious patients of all ages to bring along some headphones and listen to their favorite songs while in the dental chair. This helps ease the mind while also distracting from the unfamiliar noises that our equipment makes.

What should I expect at my child’s first dentist appointment?

During your child’s first dental appointment, our dentists will take a minimally invasive approach to evaluate their dental structures and gently cleaning their teeth and gums. Depending on your child’s dental development, we create age-appropriate dental care plans to improve the health and function of their smiles. We believe in building relationships and want to become lasting healthcare partners with our patients. Whether you need to find a local family dentist in Severna Park or need an experienced dentist for cosmetic dentistry, you can find it all at V. Lynn Morgan DDS LLC. Contact our Severna Park dental office for a consultation. Call us at (410) 415-9015 or schedule an appointment online.