A little bit of anxiety is normal for children who haven’t been to the dentist before, are going to a new dentist, or previously had a negative dental experience. Children should start going to the dentist by the time their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday, whichever one comes first. Your child may forget about going to the dentist when they are a toddler, so the proper preparation will ensure the first dental visit they remember is a positive one!
Prepare Your Child For Their Visit
Be Positive: It is essential to talk about the dentist positively with your child. Avoid talking about dental shots, drills, or any negative experiences you may have had at the dentist in the past. Focus on highlighting the benefits of going to the dentist. You can even use pictures of healthy smiles versus unhealthy smiles to show the importance of seeing the dentist regularly. Ensure your child that everyone goes to the dentist and the friendly staff there to help keep their smile healthy!
Tour The Office Beforehand: If your child is familiar with the office beforehand, there will be fewer unknowns during their appointment. It also gives your child an opportunity to see how friendly everyone at the dental office is. When they come back for their real appointment they’ll feel prepared.
Read Books Or Watch Shows About Going To The Dentist: There are many children’s books and TV episodes about going to the dentist. Research their favorite show or book series and see if there are any episodes or books about going to the dentist. This will familiarize your child with what to expect while at the dentist and make it less of a foreign experience. They may even get more excited about the visit seeing some of their favorite characters experiencing the same thing as them!
Get Their Favorite Toy Involved: Playing dentist with their favorite stuffed animal or doll may be a good activity a few days before your child’s appointment. You can walk through what their visit will consist of with their favorite toy, so they are familiar with what will happen at their visit. You could even bring their toy along to the appointment, and they can keep it with them during their teeth cleaning or exam.
Time It Well: The time you schedule your child’s appointment is crucial. Try to get in at a time when they are in a good mood. In the morning, after lunch, or right after their nap time are typically good times to schedule their visit. Children who are hungry or tired at their appointment tend to be fussier and less likely to cooperate. This can negatively affect their appointment and not use the time as effectively as possible.
Early experiences at the dentist can impact a person for the rest of their lives. We always do our best to make sure your child has a great experience at the dentist. Do your role as a great parent and prepare your child to have a great time at the dental office!