Preparing Your Child for the First Dental Visit
It is important to help your child develop good oral health habits so that they have a positive dental experience. Generally, it is best to take your child to the dentist after they’ve had their first birthday or within 6 months of their first tooth erupting.
You can schedule the first dental visit at the Redland Bay dentist once your child’s first tooth appears. When you start early, it gives an opportunity for your child to become familiar with the dental clinic environment. This is also a great way to establish a routine for their dental care. You can maintain regular dental visits so that the child learns this to be a part of their routine and it can help alleviate any anxiety with the visit. You have to choose a paediatric dentist or a dentist that specialises in children’s dentistry so that they have specialised training in oral healthcare for children. They will also have experience working with young patients and their facilities will be child friendly as well with dental equipment that is age appropriate. You can actually look for photos of the dental clinic to get an idea of what the environment is like and whether it is designed with children in mind.
You have to use positive language to explain what will happen during the dental visit.
Some of the words you should avoid using are needle, hurt and pain. You can reassure them that the dentist will make sure their teeth are healthy. A great way to get them familiar with the routine at the dental clinic is to role play at home with a toothbrush and a mirror. You can pretend to be the dentist carrying out a dental examination. The child can also take turns being the dentist and checking everyone’s teeth. This can make the experience a little more familiar. You can read books or watch videos about dental visits and the role of dentists. This can help them learn about their oral health. Look for material that is age-appropriate and can capture their attention. A pre-visit tour to the dental visit can be organised so that your child gets an opportunity to become familiarised with the dental clinic.
There are many dental clinics
That offer these tours and it gives them a chance to visit the dental team and have a look about the office. You can also have any concerns clarified so that you know how to prepare for the appointment. A positive attitude is a must as children tend to pick up on the emotions of their parents quite quickly. You need to be positive and calm when explaining about the dentist. You can talk about the importance of dental care and how visiting the dentist can be fun as they can receive stickers or other prizes for good behaviour. You can also bring some comfort items on the first dental visit such as a favourite blanket or toy so that your child can feel safe.