How to Prepare Your Kiddo for Their First Visit to the Dentist
A child’s first dental appointment is likely to cause some anxiety, but there are different ways to ease their nerves. In this article, we will discuss the first visit, what to expect, how it might go, and things you can do to ease your child’s mind when they become fearful of it.
In this article, you can check out how to properly prepare your child for their first visit to the dentist.
1. Take Your Child to the Right Pediatric Dentist
You wouldn’t be the first to think that the best dentist option for your child is with everyone else at the family dentist, but going to one who is a professional with children is a better option. A pediatric dentist has between two to three years’ worth of specialty training after finishing dental school, where their primary focus is on treating only children. Pediatric dentists have a thorough understanding of children and their dental needs. They are both primary and oral care providers for infants and children through their adolescence, as well as those with special needs.
2. Keep Things Positive With the Visit
It is possible to pass dental anxieties to children. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of visiting the dentist, don’t let that show in front of your child. If your kiddo is afraid of the visit to the dentist and has anxious feelings, let them know that it is normal to feel nervous about a new thing and offer positive reinforcement through praise for their bravery. Keep conversations simple, and don’t include details that can be scary. Tell them about the dentist’s role in counting teeth to ensure that they are healthy. They will get the chance to meet a dental hygienist who will give their teeth a “tickle” with a new, special toothbrush.
3. You Can Role Play with your Child
Role play is a method that can ease your child’s fears. Take time before their appointment to visit a make-believe dental office. You can use a favorite stuffed animal and show your child what the “dentist” will do at the visit. Or, you can pretend you are the dentist and count and then brush your child’s teeth. Talk through what you are doing as you do it and why oral hygiene is so important. Swap roles or let your kiddo have a turn at being the dentist with the stuffed animal.
4. Read Some Fun Books About Going to the Dentist
Books are always helpful tools in getting a child prepared for life events, including a visit to the dentist. When kids see some of their favorite characters visiting the dentist with a positive experience, it can help put a good spin on it. It can be difficult to choose from all the great books out there on the topic, so we have gathered some good options to get you started:
- “The Tooth Book” by Dr. Seuss
- “The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist” by Stan and Jan Berenstain
- “Elmo Visits the Dentist” by P.J. Shaw
5. Bring a Friend Along
If your child has a stuffed animal that they love, they can bring it with them to the dentist appointment. A beloved, familiar friend might be what they need to help them feel secure and safe. There might be time to check the stuffed animal’s teeth, too.
6. The Appointment Should be Scheduled at the Right Time
Your child’s dentist appointment should be scheduled when they are in their best mood. Young children tend to do their best in the morning when they are fresh, awake, and full of energy. It is better to avoid scheduling appointments late in the day or too close to nap time when children are groggy and cranky.
Bottom Line
When using tips to help prepare your child for their first dentist visit, you can help them feel confident and ready to get in the chair without a fight or tears. If you think your child needs more encouragement or you have questions, don’t be afraid to reach out to your local Montana pediatric dentist. Trust the professionals at Lolo Dentistry, expert Missoula dentists, to help you keep your child’s teeth healthy. There are three dental offices to serve you in Lolo, Frenchtown, and Superior for Mineral County, Montana, call us at 406-284-8669 for more information on procedures, dentistry, reviews, and more today! We are one of the only children’s dentists in Montana that accepts Medicaid.