Your child’s first dental visit

Many adults get anxious or fearful when visiting the dentist, and as such it comes as no surprise that children, especially younger ones with little experience of the dentist, can find their first visit to the dentist more than a little scary.

However, there is a number of ways to help your child get through this experience that is stress free and happy as possible – though that’s no guarantee that it will be all laughs and smiles!

Building up to the visit

Both long and short term action can be taken before the actual visit to help calm your child and make them aware of what will happen. One method that is often advised by dentists is to bring your child along to you and your other family members’ dental appointments. This can be done well before your child’s first check up, sometimes as early as the eruption of their first tooth. This method helps to familiarise your child with the dental setting, the dentist themselves (who will likely be the same dentist to give the child their own check up) and the procedure of a standard visit.

In the short term, speaking about what will happen during the check up a day or two before the appointment can also be helpful. Speak about it as though it is routine; keep the tone informal and positive. Acting calm and confident about the procedure will rub off on your child, but keep descriptions short and not too detailed.

During the visit

Even with these build up techniques, the day of the appointment may still not go perfectly. Staying calm and positive during the procedure can make things easier. Remember that this is a new experience and may take a number of visits for things to begin to go more fluidly.

If you yourself are nervous about dental procedures, wait in the reception area, even if you think you’re hiding it. The nervousness of the parent can easily be picked up by your child and will only make them more nervous in turn.

Posted in: Dental Phobia, General dentistry
Tags: Child's first dental visit, children's dental health, Dental anxiety, scared of dentist
| September 8, 2011 at 8:00 am | No comment

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