As a parent, you want to make sure your child is comfortable when visiting the dentist. That means finding a Concord children’s dentistry that is fun and friendly, and that relates to kids in an assuring way.
Establishing a routine of brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups at an early age goes a long way toward ensuring strong teeth for life.
1. Know What to Expect
As a parent, you probably already know the importance of introducing your child to a dentist as soon as their first tooth appears. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children start their first dental visits by age one or within six months of a first tooth.
During this visit, the dentist will ask about your child’s oral health history and any symptoms that you or they have been experiencing. They will also perform an exam and take x-rays to check for cavities and other emerging problems.
They will also give you information about toddler teething, thumb-sucking, oral hygiene and other topics that are important for your baby’s health and development. They will also examine your baby’s bite and recommend when to schedule future appointments.
Your child’s dentist will also review any family history of dental disease, dietary issues, feeding and sleeping habits and give you tips on how to help your child with these things. They will show you how to brush and floss your child’s teeth to keep them healthy and encourage you to teach your child how to do these things at home as well.
While you may be nervous about bringing your baby to the dentist, it is extremely important for their long-term dental health. The earlier your child establishes a positive relationship with their pediatric dentist, the more likely they will be to continue their oral health practices and develop good habits that will last a lifetime.
If you are a parent, it is a great idea to prepare your child for their first visit by introducing them to books or videos about dentists. This will help them understand what a typical dental visit is and set the stage for a comfortable and positive experience.
Make Your Appointment Wisely – It is best to schedule your child’s first dental appointment when they are most cooperative, typically after naptime or a meal. Kids who are hungry or tired are less tolerant of new situations and are more likely to become fussy or cry during their appointments.
You can do a lot to help your child feel calm and reassured during their dental appointment, including staying relaxed yourself. You can also use positive reinforcement by praising your child for accomplishing something that may have previously been difficult to do.
2. Bring a Toy
If your child is very nervous about visiting the dentist, it might be helpful to bring a toy with you. It can help your child feel safe and secure while they wait to be seen, and it can also encourage them to behave better during their appointment.
Children are very social animals, and a toy is one way that they can connect with other people. Having a toy at the dentist’s office can also help you make the experience more enjoyable and memorable for your little one, which will make them more likely to come back in the future!
Many pediatric dental offices offer toys or prizes to kids who behave well during their visit, so you can try this as a way of reducing your child’s anxiety. But keep in mind that it can be easy to give away too much, so Mikkelson suggests choosing a small prize that’s not too expensive or overwhelming.
Toys and rewards can be a great way to reduce your child’s anxiety while at the dentist’s office, but they should always be used as a supplement rather than a replacement for positive reinforcement. That means making sure that your child understands why they’re going to the dentist and why it’s important for them to have healthy teeth.
Before your child’s first visit, let them see how the dentist takes off their shoes and puts on a gown. This will allow them to see the process and understand what to expect.
You can also put together a pretend dentist’s office at home to help your child get used to the idea of going to the dentist. This could involve setting up makeshift instruments like utensils or toothbrushes, and taking turns playing the dentist and the patient.
Another way that you can use toys to help your child learn about dental health is by donating them to daycare centers or schools that are in need of them. These centers often run out of new toys fast, and it’s a great way to help children who might not otherwise have access to them.
3. Make It Fun
If your child has a fear of the dentist, there are many ways you can help make their visit more enjoyable. You can make the appointment less scary by talking about it in a positive way, using simple words and phrases that are familiar to them, and getting them ready for what is going to happen.
One of the best things you can do is talk about your own experience with the dentist and how it made you feel, as this will make your child more comfortable and help them to develop a positive attitude towards dental appointments in the future. You can also show them movies or books that are geared toward kids and feature characters who are excited about visiting the dentist.
You can also let your child play a role in the dentist’s office by giving them choices about what will happen during their appointment. You can explain that they will get to choose whether or not to sit in the chair, what flavor of toothpaste they want to use and what TV show they will watch while you are cleaning their teeth.
Another great way to help your child prepare for their dental visit is to give them a tour of the office before they arrive. This will allow them to see how the office works and become familiar with the staff.
It can be easy to get in the habit of mentioning pain or discomfort ahead of time, but these statements can make your child feel worse about their appointment and put them on the path to anxiety instead of comfort. Avoid these negative phrases and focus on the positive aspects of visiting a dentist, such as how great their teeth look and how important it is to keep them healthy.
Bringing a favorite stuffed animal or toy along can be helpful as well. A familiar companion can make your child feel more at ease and they may even ask to bring it with them to future appointments.
Having your child dress up in their favorite superhero or princess costume can also make their visit more fun and less scary. This is especially helpful for toddlers who tend to have a lot of apprehension about dental visits, so allowing them to dress up can be a great way to turn a trip into a positive experience.
4. Talk About It
Regardless of your child’s age, it is important to talk about dental health at an early age. This helps your child develop a positive relationship with the dentist and build confidence that they will be able to visit the dentist whenever they need it.
Taking children to the dentist is one of the most important things that you can do for their oral health and wellbeing, so it’s a good idea to start the conversation as soon as possible. You can even use National Children’s Dental Health Month (February) as a chance to start a discussion with your children about why it’s so important to take care of their teeth and gums.
When talking to your kids about dental visits, be sure to use language they can understand. For example, instead of saying, “You’ll need to go to the dentist,” you can say, “We’ll look at your teeth and count them.” This helps them feel more comfortable with the process and understand that they are in a safe place.
Another way to talk about dental visits is by role playing with them. Dress up like the dentist or dental hygienist and pretend you are going to examine their teeth.
Make the experience fun by reading a book about dental care or telling a story about an appointment. This will get your kids excited about their next dentist appointment and help them relax and feel comfortable in the dental chair.
It’s also a good idea to bring along a comfort object like a stuffed animal or blanket that your child can hold during the exam. They may be too nervous to open their mouths, so it’s a good idea for them to have something they can hold on to in case they feel a little uncomfortable.
In addition to explaining why it’s important to take care of their teeth, it is also a good idea to tell them how to properly brush and floss their teeth. This will help them stay healthy and happy, so they can grow up to have beautiful smiles!
Remember that every child is different, and your approach to children’s dentistry will depend on the child and their relationship with you. It’s not uncommon for kids to be anxious or afraid of their first dentist visit, so it’s important to listen to them and try to understand what they are feeling.