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Dental appointments are a pain for any parent. Leaving work early, arranging childcare, and driving the distance to make an appointment is a lot of effort, rewarded by an hour of drilling and prodding. All you can think about is how you could spend your time elsewhere—maybe taking this free time to relax instead of getting a hole drilled into your mouth. But dental health is essential. From being integral to your physical health to landing job opportunities to impacting your self-esteem—you can't just skip out on dentist appointments, despite the many other things on your plate as a mom.

 

Having kids is stressful, as is dental care. Thankfully, there are ways to make dental visits easier as a mom. So whether you're struggling to find time in your schedule or just trying to stay on top of things, here are a few things to keep in mind.

 

Take Care of the Basics

You have to tackle the basics before taking on the significant challenges of dental health. First, make sure to brush your teeth twice daily—floss at least once. Since you have so much on your plate, you'll want to make these daily habits as easy as possible. Next, find a brushing and flossing schedule that works with your lifestyle and stick to it. Finally, it can help to time your brushing with your kids since it will hit two birds with one stone in the daily routines. 

 

Beyond the basics, you'll want to be aware of your overall dental health. Visiting the dentist every six months for a cleaning and check-up is essential. Your dental health dramatically affects the quality of your life and that of your family members. Making it a cyclical routine of appointments will make it easier not to forget and leave it for years later due to other commitments. When you finish an appointment, immediately make your next one. Keeping up with a basic routine should make any other dental procedures a bit easier to conquer. 

 

Try Long-Term Procedures

When scheduling is an issue, it might be beneficial to invest in cosmetic dental procedures that last you a while. When working all day and taking care of energy-draining kids, you want to know that you're being taken care of too. But it's more complicated than it looks. So, contacting a porcelain veneers expert or talking to your dentist about getting a retainer might be an excellent way to invest in your dental health without the hassle of constantly worrying about your teeth. 

 

Try Online Appointments Where You Can

If your dentist offers online check-in, take advantage of it. It can help you save time and hassle, and it allows you to fit your dental visit into your schedule instead of the other way around. It's especially helpful for parents who may need to juggle work and childcare when seeking out a dental appointment. If your dentist doesn't offer online check-in, ask if there's another option that would work better for you and your family. For example, a morning appointment may be the best option if you need to drop your kids off at school or you can't take time off work. If you have kids in after-school activities, an afternoon appointment will work better.


Don't Be Afraid to Ask For Help.

As a parent, you may feel like you need to do everything yourself. But don't be afraid to ask for help. Call your insurance provider if you need assistance finding a dentist or scheduling your appointment. They may be able to assist you in finding a new dentist. If you don't have dental insurance, check the phone book or internet. Many dental offices offer reduced rates for people who don't have insurance. If you are a low-income family and need assistance, dental programs in your area may help you out.

 

Conclusion

You may feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with life's responsibilities as a parent, but dental health is vital for everyone. Whether you have kids or not, you should take care of your teeth. The tips in this article can help you make dental visits easier as a mom. Start by taking care of the basics, then schedule ahead of time and ask for help if you need it. Don't let your busy life get in the way of your smile.