Your Child’s First Dental Appointment

Going to the dentist’s office for the first time can be a scary experience for a toddler, especially if he or she is not prepared. Helping your child understand what their first dental appointment will be like is crucial to build a healthy, long-lasting relationship between your family and your family dentist.

Booking the Appointment
Edmonton Dentists recommend that you book your child’s first appointment anytime between the appearance of the first tooth and age 3. A good family dentist will also suggest booking a “practice visit” just so your toddler can get the feel of the office and the staff.

Before you book your appointment, be sure to look for a child-friendly or family dentist that will make your little one feel comfortable. Some dentists specialize in children’s dentistry and may be a better fit than others. Ask other parents who their Alberta family dentists are. Also, make sure you book the appointment for a time in your child’s day that is usually a happy, “awake” time, so they will be in a good mood (hopefully!)

Preparing Your Child
When preparing your child about their visit, there are several tricks you can use to make them feel at ease:

• Buy a book or get a book from the library that covers the topic of going to the dentist. There are several favourite children’s’ characters that are a little scared about their first visits as well!
• Be relaxed and calm about the experience – your child will feed off of your emotions.
• Talk to him or her about the importance of having clean, healthy teeth.
• Get them a brand new toothbrush and teach them how to help you brush.

The Dental Office
At the family dentist’s office, your hygienist and dentist should let you come back in the examination room, just for the first time. Your child’s dentist will look at your child’s bite, count their teeth and do a tooth by tooth exam. They may or may not clean your child’s teeth; it will depend on your child’s age and attention span.

The dentist will also ask you if you have any concerns about your child’s teeth and will probably give you some tips about at-home care for your child’s teeth such as: brushing and flossing, what kind of toothbrush to use, finger and thumb sucking and the effects of your child’s diet on their oral health. Make sure to ask about follow-up visits and how often you should bring your toddler back.

With some proper preparation and some fun techniques, your child will be ready and excited to go for their first visit to an Edmonton dentist.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance web publisher and writer. She researches and writes on a variety of topics, including oral health and Edmonton Dentistry.

Antique Collectors: Tips and Tricks to Start Collecting

Antique collecting has been a popular pastime for the past 40 years; the popularity of the hobby has exploded with the fresh lineup of antique collectors on reality shows, making sometimes thousands of dollars from one found item. Online antique stores offer an even easier solution to hunting for treasures and the public can’t get enough. Amateur or beginner collectors are combing nooks and crannies, attics and cellars; but is it just about the money? Old-school Antique collectors will tell you that money is the last thing on their minds; that antique collecting is about a passion for history and is as much about acquiring knowledge as it is old rugs, books or furniture. Whether you’re in it for money or love, you have to start somewhere.

What will you collect? Choosing your item shouldn’t be very difficult; simply pick something you already love or have always wanted to learn more about. You may want to start with an item that you have a personal connection with: an old toy or doll you couldn’t part with as a child, or a stamp collection you always admired. Whatever you decide, make sure you have a genuine interest in the antique or collectible item as it makes the hunt so much more fun.

Learn how to collect! Take a trip to some antiques stores and make appointments with other collectors and dealers. Ask questions and learn some tips of the trade. Another great question to ask is about reliable appraisers in your area that specialize in your collectible. Also, learn what you can about the world of collecting. For example, antiques are generally considered to be over 100 years old, while collectibles are more modern. There are many online classes for beginner collectors as well.

Research your item. Pack a lunch and head down to the local library. Or better yet, start surfing the internet for information about your collectible. When was it invented / made? What is its country of origin? What makes it special, not only in your eyes, but in other collectors’ views as well? You will also need to learn how to spot genuine items and fakes if you’d like to make your collection authentic.

Set a budget. Every hobby has to have a weekly, monthly or yearly budget. Some antiques and collectibles make for very pricey habits (for example, Persian rugs), while others are more affordable (tea cups anyone?). Remember that while almost everyone needs to set a budget, sometimes you may have to dig deep into those pockets for a really rare find.

Decide whether you will be collecting for investment or pleasure. Will you be trying to make a profit or building an inheritance with your collection? Or will you be the coolest kid on the block with all of your superhero memorabilia…?  This can sometimes make a huge difference in the caliber of collection you build.

Become a hunter. The most fun and most challenging part of your collecting hobby will be trying to find your sought-after memorabilia. There are many different venues to search: flea markets, garage sales, online antique malls, estate sales, junk stores… and the list goes on. Always keep your eyes open for a deal and a desired piece for your collection.

The most important aspect of this passionate hobby is to have fun! Collecting is filled with adventure, knowledge, curiosity and excitement; so go out there and find your treasure.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She researches a variety of topics and loves hunting through online antique stores!