Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Regular visits to the dentist will ensure your child’s baby teeth stay healthy and strong. With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to bring your child in for his or her first dental visit. Since seeing the dentist for the first time can be a bit intimidating for little ones, here are a few tips to ensure the appointment goes smoothly.
Schedule the appointment when you have plenty of time. You don’t want to feel hurried or rushed. You want to be able to take the time to explain things to your child along the way and keep him or her calm.

Talk to your child about the appointment beforehand. Explain that he or she is going to see the dentist, and that the dentist is going to make sure his or her teeth are nice and healthy. You may want to practice having your child open their mouth wide to let you “take a peek.”

Read books about going to the dentist. In the weeks leading up to your appointment, check some children’s books about going to the dentist out of your local library. Read them with your child, and spend time looking at the pictures and talking about the equipment. Your child will feel more comfortable visiting the family dental office after noticing that characters in books see the dentist, too.

Visit a pediatric dentist. A family dental office that focuses on children’s dentistry will be used to working with children. They’ll have child-sized equipment and staff members who are friendly and welcoming to your little one.

Prepare your questions ahead of time. When your child is feeling nervous and you’re focused on his or her emotions, it’s easy to forget any questions you have for the dentist. So, prepare a list of questions ahead of time. Write them down or put them in your smartphone. If you have any concerns whatsoever about your child’s teeth or how to care for them, don’t hesitate to ask the dentist.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child for their first dental checkup when their first tooth erupts or by the time they turn one. If your child’s teeth have not yet been looked over by a dentist, now is the time to take action. Keep the tips above in mind, and contact Shoreline Dental Studio to set up an appointment today.