Preparing for your child’s first dental visit
A child’s first few dental experiences can shape their attitude toward dentists and taking care of their teeth for life!
It is perfectly normal for children to be a little anxious and fearful with any new experience and going to the dentist is no different.
Parents and the dental team both play very important roles in making a child’s dental appointment a positive experience.
There are a number of things that you as a parent can do to help the dental visit go well:
- Explain that the dentist is a friendly doctor whose job is to help keep their teeth and gums heathy so they can enjoy eating their favourite foods and keep their smiles lovely.
- Talk about going to the dentist in a positive way. Don’t use words like “hurt” or “painful.” Don’t ask children to be brave; this will imply that something scary may happen. Similarly, don’t tell children that they were brave after their dental appointment, instead tell them how well they behaved.
- Start taking your child to the dentist at a young age. Preferably between 2-3 years of age. This gives children an opportunity to meet the friendly dental team and see the dental practice. They can have a ride in the chair and be introduced to simple dental tools before any treatment is necessary.
- Make dental visits regular (every 6 months). Don’t make it a big deal. When something is routine, it becomes a part of life and less scary and unknown. Let kids know that everyone, including Mum and Dad, visit to the dentist.
- Children can easily pick up on your attitude. If you are anxious about dental treatment, do your best to avoid sharing your fears with your children. If you are comfortable at the dentist, it can be good for children to watch you have a simple procedure such as a check-up without fear.
At your child’s appointment the dental team will explain what they are doing in simple language and use demonstrations to help your child understand what we are doing. At Distinctive Dental, we are passionate about making early dental experiences positive and happy for everyone involved.
