Essentials to Prepare For Your Child's First Dental Exam

Children should start seeing a dentist as soon as they start teething. Starting them off right with a positive mindset is essential to a lifetime of good oral hygiene. Although adults understand the importance of dentist visits, they may seem scary to a child. They are required to lay in an unfamiliar chair with unfamiliar noises and objects while a stranger pokes around their mouth with metal instruments. It’s important to have your child acclimated to the dentist office, so follow these steps to help your child feel comfortable during their first dentist visits:

To prepare for the visit to the dentist, especially the first time, be mindful to not include too many details. When the details are outlined, it raises more questions and can increase your child’s anxiety levels. Maintain a positive attitude when talking to your child about the visit, but don’t give false hope, such as saying “everything will be fine.” If a follow up appointment is needed, it may discourage the child.

Don’t use words such as “shot,” “hurt” or “pain” with children when discussing their dental visit. Allow the dental staff to use their own selected vocabulary to get the child through procedures. Use positive phrases like “clean,” “healthy,” and “strong teeth” to make the visit fun and easy, rather than frightening.

Educate your child on the benefits and importance of good dental hygiene. Explain to your child that the dentist is there to help prevent cavities and keep their teeth strong so they can eat the food they enjoy.