How To Get Your Child Ready For Their First Dental Visit
Being a parent is one of the most rewarding jobs on the planet. It is your job as a parent to make sure your child is both healthy and happy. One of the main things you need to focus on when trying to keep your child healthy is properly caring for their teeth. Until your child can learn how to brush, floss and use mouthwash, you have to help them with these tasks.
Eventually, you will need to take your child to a dental professional for cleanings and other treatments. Most experts recommend taking a child to the dentist around six months after their first tooth shows up. Getting your child ready for their first dental visit can help you prevent lots of anxiety-induced problems. If you want to adequately prepare for your child’s first dental visit, read the information below.
Take Your Child On a Tour Of The Dental Office
Did you realize that by the age of four, most children will have at least one cavity? Catching these dental problems early on can help you reduce the damage they do to your child’s teeth. Children that seem anxious about going to the dentist are generally exhibiting fear of the unknown. If you want to calm the unwarranted fear your child has of the dentist’s office, you need to think about scheduling a tour.
Not only can these tours be used to reduce dental anxiety, they can also help you figure out which pediatric dentist is the best fit for your needs. Once your child has an opportunity to interact with the staff at the dentist’s office, the fear they have should start to subside.
A Simple Reward Can Go A Long Way
In the days and weeks leading up to your child’s first dental visit, they will probably have lots of questions about what will go on. Being honest about how the dentist will check the health of their teeth can go a long way when trying to calm your child’s nerves. Perhaps the best way to get children on board with something they aren’t thrilled about is by offering them a reward.
Making a deal with your child that provides them with a gift if they do well at the dentist is a great idea. Offering your child a trip to their favorite restaurant or buying them a toy is a great way to motivate them to do well at their first dental visit.
Don’t Forget To Bring Comfort Items
When taking a toddler to the dentist for the first time, you will probably be confronted with tears and temper tantrums. If you want to stop these tantrums quickly, you need to bring along comfort items from home for your child. These items can be everything from your child’s favorite stuffed animal to the blanket they sleep with. Having these items allows you to calm down your child during this difficult time.
Is your child in need of quality dental care? If so, Kids First Dentistry is here to help.