Helping Your Child Feel at Ease at the Dentist Office

Bringing your child in for their first dental visit early in their life is important so they get used to being in a dental office and won’t get nervous. Once your child is older than two, depending on their temperament and personality, they might experience anxiety at the different sights and sounds. At this age, the goal of the first visit is to introduce them to the office, let them see the different kinds of instruments, sit in the chair, and let our dentist look inside their mouth.

To prepare your child for their first dental visit at this age you may want to take them to your next exam and cleaning so they can see what you do as your teeth are checked and cleaned. You can also prepare them for their dental appointment by reading children’s books to them that talk about going to the dentist. You can even play with them, making it a game, using a mirror to look in each other’s mouths and counting teeth. The goal is to make it a fun and interesting time for them. Look online to find multiple tools to help them feel comfortable. Teaching them beforehand the importance of seeing a dentist and what they do in the office will better prepare them for their dental office experience.

When you schedule their first appointment, you will want to plan on making it for a time when you and your child are both relaxed and not in a hurry. You also want to time it so that they are not having to miss naptime; a well-rested child is a happy child. You want them to feel their best so they can have a positive first experience.

Be sure to bring in your child by the age of 1 or about six months after their first tooth appears. These tend to appear at about 6 months. When you come in for their first exam, some things you will want to discuss include dental care for your infant/toddler, bad habits to avoid (like sucking on their thumb), milestones (like teething and losing their baby teeth), and their diet.

When you come in, we will help your child feel comfortable with our staff, the office environment, and the instruments we use to examine their mouth. Our dentist will take a quick look inside their mouth to determine if there’s any decay lurking. We will check their gums, their jaw, and their bite that might affect their incoming teeth or cause potential problems with speech.