The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is a public health concern that is affecting all businesses, including our own. We want to provide you with an update on Pediatric Dentistry of Winter Park’s response to this crisis, along with some tips on how to best care for your child’s dental health during this time.
Dr. Allie Miller’s Response To COVID-19
At this time our office is working to be part of the solution to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As recommended by the American Dental Association, we will be closing our office for 3 weeks for any elective dental procedures (cleanings/new patients/restorative procedures)
We will be planning on opening April 7th for routine dental care unless we are informed otherwise to postpone. As this is an evolving crisis, we appreciate your patience as we practice social distancing during this time and do our part in flattening the curve of the coronavirus.
If your child has a dental emergency during this crisis, please give us a call at (407) 755-3136. Additionally, we will be checking emails and voicemails daily.
We hope that these measures will help keep our patients, staff, and community safe and healthy.
Your Child’s Dental Health Tips
It is important that you encourage your child to continue practicing good oral hygiene during this time. Daily tooth brushing and flossing go a long way in maintaining your child’s dental health outside of the dentist’s office. Additionally, as this is a very stressful time for everyone including your little ones, we want to encourage parents to be aware of common dental concerns that may pop up in high-stress situations.
Thumb sucking is a common way your child may attempt to calm themselves when feeling anxious or afraid. Parents can try to encourage their child to stop using a variety of at-home tips, like:
- Place a sock over the hand they typically place in the mouth to remind them not to suck their thumb or fingers.
- Find alternative ways to calm and relax them before going to sleep.
- If stress is a trigger, talk with them about their fears or concerns and discuss other means of releasing stress.
Teeth grinding is another common habit that your child may develop in response to higher amounts of stress, especially in school-aged children and teens. Adopting a soothing bedtime routine for a younger child to breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and other therapies for older children and teens can help reduce the likelihood of teeth grinding. Make sure to mention any signs of teeth grinding at your next dentist’s appointment.
One of the best ways you can help preserve your child’s dental health during this time would be to ensure they are eating a well-balanced diet. Reduce their intake of soda, hard-candies, or any other sugary substances. This will help reduce the likelihood of tooth decay during this stressful time.
Again, please reach out to us if you need immediate dental care during the coronavirus crisis. We will do our best to schedule you for our earliest emergency dentistry appointment. We look forward to seeing you and your child in our office again soon.