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How to Help Your Child Prepare For Their First Dentist Visit

Jun 15, 2021

Your child will meet important milestones as he or she grows. One milestone you'll be on the lookout for is your child's first tooth. After the first tooth starts to come in, there's another important milestone to focus on.

The appearance of the first tooth marks the to prepare your child for the first dentist visit. There's no doubt that this is one milestone that most parents don't tend to get excited about.

A child should see a dentist for the first time by their first birthday. Most parents take their child to the dentist for the first time when the child is between 1 and 3.

As a parent, you want to make sure that your child's first dentist visit is a good experience. Read this article to learn how to help your child prepare for their first dentist visit.

Get Your Child Excited About Dentistry

To help your child get ready for their first dentist visit, you have to make dentistry exciting. This must start at an early age as it's a process.

This may not be an easy task for most parents. If you want your child to feel comfortable and not have any anxiety, you must talk to your child about the dentist. You can start by telling your child what a dentist does.

Naturally, your child may have a lot of questions about the dentist. Do your best to answer every question, but be honest. You have to explain to your child what the dentist will do during the first visit.

Do make sure to engage in a positive dialogue about dentistry. Tell your child that all children have to go to the dentist to get their teeth checked. You can share with them the positive experiences you have had at the dentist.

You want to refrain from passing on any of your anxiety to your child. Children can pick up on a parent's anxiety and fear. You don't want to pass on any anxiety you may have about your child's first dentist visit.

Have you been brushing your child's teeth since your child was an infant? There's a higher likelihood your child will have less anxiety when it's time to go to their first dentist appointment. Your child will feel comfortable as the dentist looks over the teeth.

Read a Book About Going to the Dentist

You should consider reading your child a book about going to the dentist. This is a great way to introduce your child to the dentist.

There are lots of children's books that are all about the dentist. These books have pictures that show the characters having a positive experience at the dentist. Consider buying books that feature your child's favorite characters from TV.

This can help your child relate to the character. This will help to lessen the fears they may have about going to the dentist. If by any chance your child gets nervous again, take out the book to remind your child will be safe.

Play Dentist With Your Child

Role-playing is one of the favorite activities for most children. Children have a vivid form of imagination, so it's beneficial for them if they can play dentist at home.

Your child can assume the role of the dentist. The patient can be one of their favorite stuffed animals or dolls. You can talk your child through the steps a dentist takes.

This is a great way to give your child a sense of control over a new experience. Plus, it will give your child an idea of what to expect during their first dentist visit.

Make an Appointment With a Pediatric Dentist

It's a good idea to schedule your child's first dentist appointment with a pediatric dentist. This type of dentist has the knowledge and training needed to work with children from birth through adolescence.

The dentist will make every effort to make your child's first visit comfortable as possible. The dentist will have tons of tricks to make it a fun experience.

From the moment your child walks into the dentist's office, he or she will start to feel comfortable. You can expect the staff to do everything they can to help your child feel at ease.

A pediatric dentist will do more than help make your child feel at ease. The training these dentists get enables them to effectively treat childhood dental problems.

Schedule the Appointment for the Best Time

It's a good idea if you schedule your child's first dental visit at a time that works best for your little one. Take into consideration your child's nap time and lunch time.

The last thing you want is for your child to go all cranky to the dentist. This will make for a bad first experience at the dentist. If your child feels better after a nap, try to schedule the appointment after this time.

Your best bet is to schedule the first dentist appointment when your child is well-rested. It will also help if your child isn't hungry.

Ask the Dentist If Your Child Can Tour the Office

It doesn't hurt if you ask the dentist if your child can tour the office. Dentists who work with children understand the anxiety and fear that children have when they first go for a dental checkup. This is why many of them offer their patient's a tour of the office.

Ask your child's dentist if they offer a virtual office tour. This is something many dentists are now doing. A virtual tour of the office can help children understand what goes on at the dentist.

In the comfort of your home, you and your little one can view all the equipment and rooms at the office. You can explain what each piece of equipment is for.

You should also look over the staff's pictures if there are any on the dentist's website. This can help your child become familiar with the persons who may end up caring for him. Children tend to feel more comfortable around familiar faces.

Bring a Comfort Item to the Appointment

Speaking of being comfortable. On the night before the dentist's visit, you can let your child take one item with him or her to the dentist.

The goal is for your child to take a comfort item. This can be a favorite toy, stuffed animal, or even a blanket. Your child can keep this item by his or her side throughout the visit.

Treat Them With a Reward

You can tell your son or daughter that their dentist will offer them a reward if they behave well. The dentist will likely offer your child a toothbrush, toothpaste, or another item at the end of the visit. The item should serve as a reward for doing a great job.

You don't want to bribe your child. This can have the opposite effect of what you desire to do. It can cause your child to become dependent on one every time there's a dentist appointment.

You should offer your child a lot of praise after their first dental visit. Be sure to point out your child's good behavior and bravery as well.

Be Ready for Resistance

Despite all the actions you take and how much you prepare your child for the first dentist visit, be aware that resistance can arise. It's normal for children to be apprehensive. It's also normal for them to want to avoid being examined by a stranger.

Little children may even cry or throw a major temper tantrum on the morning leading up to the dentist visit. Your child may even do this on the way to the dentist.

Whatever happens, you can count on the staff members to help your child feel comfortable at all times. You can trust them and the dentist to guide you and your child through the process.

The best dentist understands that a child's first dentist visit can be nerve-racking. The dentist will invite you to go in with your child so you can be by your child's side.

You can reassure your child that you'll be right there with him or her. If it will make your child feel better, you can hold their hands. You're your child's greatest comfort, so stay present.

Time to Schedule Your Child's First Dentist Visit

The time has come for your child to go to their first dentist visit. There are several things you can do to help your child prepare for this dentist visit. You want to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible.

If you are looking for the best dentist for children make an appointment with us. Contact us to make your child's first dentist appointment at one of our two locations.

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Dr. Ehab Daas

Meet your doctor

Dr. Ehab is a passionate dentist with 15 years of dental experience. He received his D.D.S in 1997, and has practiced dentistry for 6 years since then. Immediately after that, Dr. Da'as moved to Paris to get his Orthodontics and Prosthodontic diploma's in which he specialized in fixed bridges and crowns. He graduated from France with remarkable achievements in 2005, and went on to work for 9 years, focusing on difficult orthodontics cases and satisfying his ortho patients. Dr. Ehab moved to Canada in 2014 to continue his career, where he is proud and extremely honoured to provide his patients with the highest quality service.

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