The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you bring in your child for his or her first visit to the dentist when your child's first teeth appear, or no later than your child's first birthday. If your child is just now reaching the age where it's time to visit the dentist for the first time, you may be thinking about the best ways that you can prepare your child, and the ways that you can be prepared yourself. The following tips will help you get ready for your child's first visit to the dentist.
Prepare a List of Questions
It's natural to wonder whether or not your child's teeth are developing properly. Questions like "why is there a space between each tooth?" and "when will the rest of my child's baby teeth grow in?" are common questions that parents have. Your upcoming trip to the dentist will be your chance to ask these questions and get answers from a professional. In the weeks before your visit to the dentist, write down these questions so you won't forget them when you're at the dentist's office.
Sooth Your Child in Advance
Many children get nervous on their first visit to the dentist, and this is especially true of children who are shy. If you anticipate that your child will be nervous with the dentist, there are many things that you can do to sooth your child in advance. You can help your child get used to the idea of going to the dentist by talking about the dentist in the days before the appointment. On the day of the visit, pack a bag of comforting items (a blanket, a favorite toy) to bring with you to the office. If your child is still nursing, consider nursing your child before leaving your house.
Bring Your Child's Toothbrush and Tooth Paste
You may find brushing your toddler's teeth to be a challenge, especially if this is your first child. Your child's pediatric dentist may have special techniques and tricks for getting children to cooperate during tooth brushing time. Even if the dentist doesn't have tips for getting your child to cooperate, the dentist can still show you the best techniques for adequately reaching your child's front and back teeth. If you would like tips and advice, pack your child's toothbrush and tooth paste so the dentist can give you a lesson at the dentist's office.
Following these tips, your child's first visit to the dentist should be productive and enjoyable. For more information, call your child's pediatric dentist prior to the visit. He or she can give you tips to ensure that you're prepared for your first visit. Contact a dentist, such as Russell Pollina, DDS, for more information.
Share1 March 2016
My name is Katie Langer. For a long time, I was bed ridden and I felt like I had no control over my life. I simply went along with what was instructed by my doctor and I didn't ask questions. It wasn't that my doctor wasn't willing to work with me, but I preferred to simply not think about the illness I was suffering from. I didn't realize that some of the symptoms I was suffering from were side effects of my medication and were not normal. After communicating more with my doctor, I was able to alleviate my symptoms. Since then, I've taken an interest in patient-doctor relationships and how to improve them.
