Preparing Children For Their First Dentist Appointment

Posted on: 23 December 2014

Visiting the dentist at a place like Kids First Pediatric Dentistry for the first can be an overwhelming experience for a child if care is not take to prepare him or her for the appointment. Dentist appointments often involve some level of discomfort even with the gentlest of dentists, and it's important that children are prepared for this beforehand.

Consider the following tips if you're looking for ways to make your child's first dentist appointment go as smoothly as possible:

  • Arouse your child's curiosity- Children tend to follow their curiosity, so you'll have a much easier time getting your son or daughter through a dental appointment if you can make them curious about it. Try reading books or watching videos with them about the dentist, or simply get them interested by talking to them about dental health.
  • Choose your dentist wisely- Dentists specialize in pediatric dentistry for a reason. It takes a special kind of dentist or doctor to work with children, and you should meet with and evaluate a dentist's personality beforehand. Otherwise, you can get recommendations from other parents about a good pediatric dentist in the area. 
  • Visit beforehand- Visiting the dentist's office before the actual appointment could help get your child to feel more comfortable in the surroundings. If possible, you might want to try to introduce your child to the dentist. Make the visit as fun as possible so that your child looks forward to coming back. 
  • Do some practice sessions at home- Your child is probably already brushing and flossing every day. You can introduce your child to dental procedures and build trust by giving your child some at home teeth cleanings using an electronic brush. This will familiarize him or her with what goes on at the dentist.
  • Bring some comfort from home to the office- You can bring a favorite toy or item from home into the office with you if you feel that it will help your child relax while at the dentist. It might even be possible for your child to take a toy back into the examination room while the dentist is looking at his or her teeth. 
  • Promise a reward afterwards- A favorite treat or activity will help motivate your child to be on his or her best behavior. Give your child something exciting to look forward to and you'll probably find that the first dentist appointment is much easier for both your and your child than you had anticipated.
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