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4 Things To Do Before Your Child's First Dentist Appointment

9 July 2019 by Christy Long

As soon as your baby's first tooth erupts, it's important to begin establishing excellent oral health habits, such as regular brushing. Around the age of two, most children should have their first dental appointment. From there, a pediatric dentist can determine whether your child needs a full teeth cleaning or whether you can wait a bit longer. Regardless of the age when your child will be visiting the dentist for the first time, there are some steps you can take to make the process easier on everyone.

Schedule a Meet-and-Greet

Whether your child will be seeing your family dentist or a specialized pediatric dentist, it's always a good idea to bring your child into the dentist's office for a quick meet-and-greet. This gives your child an opportunity to meet the staff, dentists, and hygienists, as well as to see the facilities. This little bit of familiarization can make your child's first real appointment much less stressful.

Let Them See How It's Done

Some dentists may also encourage bringing your child with you to one of your own teeth-cleaning appointments, which will allow them to see first-hand what to expect. Being able to see the instruments and see how well you're handling your own teeth cleaning may help relieve some stress and anxiety leading up to their own appointment.

Check Out Relevant Books

There are plenty of children's books centered around going to the dentist for the first time, so consider buying or checking some out from your local library. This can be a great way to help your child understand what to expect at a dentist appointment and the importance of oral health in a relatable way.

Put It Out in the Open

Sometimes, there just isn't anything you can do to completely quell the fear and anxiety that comes along with a child's first dentist appointment. With this in mind, be sure to set aside some time to simply talk your child through what they are feeling. Let your child know that there's nothing wrong with being afraid or scared but that everything is going to be okay.

Bringing your child in for their first dentist appointment can be nerve-wracking for both you and your little one. Fortunately, by taking just a few proactive steps in the days and weeks leading up to the appointment, your child can enjoy greater confidence moving forward.

For more information, contact a pediatric dentist.

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