How to Prepare Your Child for His or Her First Visit to the Dentist

So, you have made (or are going to make) your child's first dentist appointment. It can be hard to know how much to tell your child about the dentist in order to adequately prepare him or her for their first visit. You want your child to feel comfortable going to the dentist, yet so many of us are afraid of going there ourselves that it can be hard not to instill that fear in our children. Here are some tips you can utilize in order to help prepare your child or children for their first dentist's appointment.

1. Don't make comments that might scare your child about the dentist. My mom would always say things like, "I hate the dentist!" and, "I'd rather take a beating than go to the dentist," so I was scared of the dentist from the beginning. Making such comments may instill fear in your child, and you will have a harder time getting him or her to go to the dentist at all.
2. Make the dentist seem like a friendly person. Tell your child that a dentist is someone who takes care of teeth and helps you keep them healthy. This explanation should be enough for young children.
3. Read your child stories about dental care. Try to find children's books about other kids who go to the dentist and have good experiences. Your dentist's office may have suggestions for some books you can read to your child before you bring him or her to the dentist.
4. Try to find a child-friendly dentist. While all dentists should have training on how to work with kids, some dentists specialize in children's dentistry and try to make the experience as fun as possible for kids. Look in your local yellow pages, ask other parents, and/or call around and interview dentists to find one who will both meet your child's dental needs and make the experience pleasant.
5. Help your child brush and floss his or her teeth up to the age of six years old. He or she will need your help in learning how to properly brush and floss his or her teeth. Additionally, be a good example to your child by regularly brushing and flossing your teeth.
6. Let your child come to the dentist with you when you get a cleaning. Watching you have an enjoyable experience at the dentist's office will help your child feel more comfortable about going to the dentist his or herself. It is not a good idea to allow your child to accompany you to an appointment where you are going have cavities filled or might experience other unpleasant procedures.
7. Make the experience fun. Take your camera, take pictures, and treat your child's first dental visit as an important milestone for growing up. This will help your child both feel important and make the experience pleasant.
8. It is also important to pick a good time of day to visit the dentist. Try to pick a time of day when your child is generally in a good mood. Don't schedule dentist appointments during naptime, snack time, or a beloved activity.
9. Take your child's favorite stuffed animal or toy with you when you go to the dentist. Having something that the child finds comforting will help him or her feel more at ease while at the dentist.
10. Entertain your child as you wait for the dentist. Bring your child's favorite book or tell him or her a story while you wait for the dentist. Children's dental offices also often have many children's storybooks and toys you can read or play with your child while you wait.
11. Don't allow your child to have too many sweets. Sweets can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Of course, having no cavities at the dentist makes the experience more pleasurable.
12. Stay with your child during the appointment, but be positive while you do so. Children can sense anxiety, so keep up a positive attitude while you accompany your child to his or her first dental appointment. I know it always made me feel better when my mom would stay in the examination room with me. Children generally feel more secure when they have a loving, encouraging parent around them in new and unfamiliar situations.

Your child's first dentist visit can be scary for him or her, but you can help make the experience less scary and more enjoyable by following these tips. Additionally, ask your chosen pediatric dentist if he or she has any other tips you can employ to help make your child's first visit to the dentist a good one.

Sources:

Denistry.com: Preparing Your Child for a Dentist Visit:

http://www.dentistry.com/articles/Preparing_Your_Child_for_a_Dental_Visit.aspx

Essortment.com: Child's First Visit to the Dentist:

http://www.essortment.com/all/childrendentist_rzjv.htm

Helium: Preparing Your Child for the First Dental Visit:

http://www.helium.com/items/889720-preparing-your-child-for-the-first-dental-visit

Suite 101: How to Prepare for A Child's First Dental Visit:

http://earlychildhood.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_prepare_for_a_childs_first_dental_visit