3 Tips For A Child’s First Dental Visit

Do you have a child or loved one who is about to celebrate their first birthday? Along with the extravagant (or intimate) celebration, special presents, and smash cake photo session, now is a great time to schedule their first appointment to the dentist. While you might be thinking to yourself that the child might be too young, we believe that it is the perfect time to make sure they have a great developing smile and their oral health is on track! While we know that visiting the dentist can be a little scary for children (and their parents too), we have some pointers that can help you have a successful first visit to our office. Continue reading for some tips.

Prepare Yourself

• We know how common it is for adults to have certain phobias or fears of the dentist. It is imperative that your child not pick up on your insecurities. It is also important to remember that your child does not have to share the fears that you have, so we suggest creating a sense of calm for your child before the visit. Discuss any concerns you have with the dentist and allow them to help you create a positive experience for both you and your child.

Prepare the Dentist

• Before coming to the office, make a list of any important information the dentist should know prior to the examination. The child’s health history is important, including information about any illnesses and medications. It is also important to notify the dentist of any use of pacifiers, thumb sucking, and bottles.

Prepare Your Child

• If your child is very young, they are not going to understand if you go into detail about what you will see at the dentist. Be sure to schedule the appointment time when the child will be at their happiest. We recommend avoiding nap and meal time. There are certain activities that you can do at home to prepare the child for what they might experience in an indirect way:
  • Read stories and watch tv shows about going to the dentist
  • Play pretend dentist at home
  • Encourage the child to brush the teeth of stuffed animals and toys

We hope these tips help you with your child or loved one’s first dentist appointment. If you are located in the Terre Haute, IN area, please call our office to schedule an appointment today. We can’t wait to see you and your special one.