Offering dental care for children has its own unique hurdles and rewards. For years, Dr. Matthew L. Bridges has had a heart for being a children’s dentist in Duncan, OK, and helping so many of our patients’ children develop good oral hygiene habits, and an understanding of the importance of routine dental care.
If you are in the area, and are looking for a new dental provider your whole family can see, consider Dr. Bridges! As a father of four himself, Dr. Bridges understands the concerns and goals you may have for your child’s oral health. Trust their smile (and yours!) to Dr. Bridges at Chisolm Trail Smile Center – one of the oldest dental practices in the area. Reach a member of our team at (580) 255-4880.
Good habits should start early.
Dr. Bridges has seen how early dental experiences can shape a child’s perception of dentists, dental services, as well as at-home oral care. The earlier a child can start seeing a dentist who they like and feel comfortable with, the less chance they may have of developing dental phobias and anxieties that could keep them away from critical care later down the road. Dr. Bridges loves being able to help children as young as one become more comfortable in the dental chair, by offering gentle care and providing a warm, welcoming, and kid-friendly atmosphere.
Oral health is crucial during early childhood years.
Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends that children start regularly seeing a dentist at the age of one (or at least six months after the first primary tooth appears)? Since primary teeth eventually give way for permanent teeth, some people don’t think regular dental care is necessary. However, children learn how to speak and chew with primary teeth, so it’s important that they are kept healthy and strong until permanent teeth push through. Also, healthy teeth and gums make the transition to permanent teeth smoother, and can set your child up for a lifetime of better oral health.
In addition to routine cleaning, examinations, fluoride treatments and cavity detection, Dr. Bridges offers treatments that can help prepare a child’s smile for future orthodontic care. For instance, Dr. Bridges can place orthodontic spacers to keep your child’s smile from shifting after a primary tooth is lost prematurely. Other orthodontic assessments can help you understand early on what treatments your child may require to have a straighter smile.
Family dentistry can help everyone achieve better health.
As a parent, Dr. Bridges knows full well that kids follow their parents’ example in nearly everything –including oral health! By seeing a dentist, like Dr. Bridges, who can care for the whole family, your child can see the importance of oral care, no matter their age. Your regular attendance will help your child view the dentist as a normal and healthy habit, one that they should emulate. In addition, scheduling routine examinations and cleanings for the family is easier when everyone sees the same provider!
Kids are eager to learn and try new things.
Witnessing kids learning—and being excited to learn—is such a treat. Teachers and parents know how excited kids can get when learning new tasks, words, behaviors, and more. Dr. Bridges loves being able to help kids learn more about their teeth and gums: why they’re important, how they function, and how to keep them clean and strong. With a heart for teaching and educating patients, Dr. Bridges especially loves one-on-one chats with his youngest patients, who may be learning for the first time exactly how their teeth work, and why brushing is so important.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Bridges, Duncan, OK Children’s Dentist.
Your child’s smile is a treasure; help protect and strengthen it through top-quality dental care in the Duncan, OK area. Contact Chisolm Trail Smile Center today to schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Matthew Bridges.
