It’s finally time: your child is old enough to get their teeth cleaned, but they’re nervous about the experience. How do you prepare them for their first dental visit? We’ve collected some tips that will help soothe your child’s nerves before they see a pediatric dentist for the first time.
The American Dental Association suggests that you bring your child to the dentist either by one year of age, or six months after their first tooth has grown in. At such a young age, it’s hard to explain away the fears that your child might have - that’s why it’s important to introduce them to the dentist gradually. The sooner you do it, the better - it will give your child time to get used to the idea. At the first appointment, the dentist may spend very little time actually cleaning your child’s teeth. Instead, they will teach them how to properly brush, and how often to do so. You can reassure your child by telling them that the first visit will be short and sweet. If your child is lucky, they may be given a toy following the appointment - and if not, try to provide one yourself! That way, your child will look forward to the next visit.
When it comes to scheduling the appointment, pick a time in the morning. The anticipation of a stressful event can sometimes be worse than the event itself, and for a child’s first dental appointment, this is certainly true. If you schedule the appointment in the evening, your child will have the entire day to stress about it. It’s best to get it over with first thing in the morning - schedule your child’s first dental visit early so that they don’t have time to get nervous about it.
For playful children, one way to reduce their anxiety is by enacting a pretend dentist appointment. You can give your child a better idea of what to expect when they get to the office by playing pretend - this gives your child an outlet for their fears. Use stuffed animals as patients, and let your child pretend to clean their teeth - maybe they’ll enjoy the experience so much, they’ll find themselves looking forward to the appointment!
What if you’ve tried all these tricks and your child is still anxious about their first visit to the dentist? Reassure them that as long as they take good care of their teeth, the dentist’s office won’t be a scary place. The earlier that your child has their teeth cleaned, the better - it will keep their oral health in check and save them from a toothache later on.
Now that your child is ready to go, all that’s left to do is find a great dentist who will clean their teeth! Are you looking for a qualified dentist in Fairmont, WV? Bonasso & Kime provide exceptional dental services. If your child is nervous about their first teeth cleaning, our pediatric dentists will make sure they feel safe and comfortable when it’s time for their appointment.