For children dentist visits can be a scary experience. Having a stranger clean and inspect their teeth may not be the most enjoyable time. However, it is important to remember that they do not yet know what to expect. For them, a trip to the dentist could just be like a trip to the store or to the park. Instead of preparing them for the worst, just bring them in!
If you cast a shadow on your child’s first dentist experience, he or she may become nervous and start to become anxious about the appointment. The best way to approach it is to simply smile and say “the nice person is going to clean your teeth!” Make it seem like it is no big deal, which for a first appointment, it won’t be!
The first appointment will be quite informal, and should not cause any worry for your child. The dentist will simply meet the child, and possibly take a look at his or her teeth. There will not be any major procedures or anything that should worry your child. The family dentist may ask you to hold your child, if they are young. A toddler might be proud to sit in the chair by themselves and meet the dentist and staff independently.
Most parents find that choosing the family dentist is the easiest way to go. If you are happy with your current dentist’s performance, there is no reason why you shouldn’t continue bringing new additions to the family there. However, some parents prefer to bring their children to dentists who specialize in children’s dentistry.
There are dentists out there who cater their business to younger kids. This means they will probably have a fun design on their walls, toys to play with while waiting in the waiting room, children’s books to read, stuff like that. Depending on your child, you may find this makes it easier to get them to go to appointments.
Remember that positive reinforcement will go a long way. After your child’s first dentist appointment, you may want to bring them out for a treat, or at least give them a big hug and let them know they did a great job.
Remember that proper dental care starts in the home first and the more you teach them about the importance of regular brushing and flossing, the less often you will have to bring them to see kids dentists. Set a positive example by brushing your teeth with them, and remind them kindly twice a day to brush.
Going to the dentist does not have to be a difficult thing for young kids. The truth of the matter is that it is usually the adults who are more scared of the dentist than the kids! Usually kids do not have to worry about drills, cavities, or any of the other unpleasant things that more “experienced” teeth do.
Keep your dentist on the good team and you should never have a problem. As long as your children are encouraged to maintain healthy dental habits, then going to the dentist should be a breeze!
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