Taking care of your children’s teeth is as important as taking them to their regular pediatric visit; it will help your children maintain overall health, avoid cavities and rotten teeth, prevent problems with their nutrition, self-image, etc.

Many times parents tend to not give too much thought or importance to the baby’s oral hygiene specially in the first years of life; there is in fact a misconception that as long as babies don’t have their first teeth or even before they get their permanent teeth caring for their teeth is not necessary or important and this is a huge mistake that brings many problems.

Even before any teeth erupt it is necessary to wipe down the baby’s gums with gauze or a soft wet washcloth at least twice a day, once teeth begin to come in you must keep them clean with the help of the right toothbrush.

The first visit to the dentist should be programmed by the time the baby is one year old, this is important both to ensure your kid’s mouth is healthy but also to get the right advice straight from your dentist on how to care for your child’s teeth and what you should look out for.

Whether Costa Rica is now your new home or you are just vacationing in the country and considering arranging dentist appointments for the entire family to save money, choosing the right pediatric dentist for your children is key, since this first experience will determine how the child will feel and react in the future about going to the dentist.

Here are some aspects to consider when you are choosing a pediatric dentist:

1) Make sure he/she is a trained pediatric dentist: You may have a great dentist that has taken care of you for years, but your child needs a dentist that has received the right training to deal with children. Treating children is very different from adults; pediatric dentists prepare to deal with children’s behavior and special requirements. In Costa Rica there are many great pediatric dentists to choose from.
2) References: If you have a dentist you already go to in Costa Rica then ask for references for a pediatric dentist or ask other mothers for recommendations and then do your own research.
3) Visit the clinic alone first: Whether you have received references or not, try visiting the clinic on your own first, make sure they provide a fun and welcoming environment but at the same time the professionalism you are looking for. The Flikier Institute in Costa Rica for example, offers an area exclusively designed for the little ones, named Dental Park, where all details are thought out to cater children and their parents. It is also important that the dentist you choose speaks your language fluently, and that he/she and the personnel at the clinic treats you and your child with care, if you are happy with what you see and how you are treated then make an appointment.
4) Think ahead: As a recommendation, it is always better to choose a clinic that offers professionals in different fields that can treat your child as they grow older. Time flies, and soon you may need the help of a pediatric orthodontist if your kid needs braces or a cosmetic dentist if he/she ends up breaking a tooth at some point. Visiting a place where you feel comfortable always helps deal with a new experience.

The quality of dental work in Costa Rica has placed the country as one of the favorite destinations for dental tourism, so take advantage of your time here to get your child’s teeth checked out, remember a dental cleaning and checkup is recommended every six months to prevent problems.

The Flikier Dental Insitute and Dr Daniel Lelchuk a great choice if you need a starting point in your search for a great pediatric dentist and clinic in Costa Rica.