How to Prepare Your Child For Their First Visit to the Dentist
There are many important milestones in a baby’s and young child’s life, such as sitting up, crawling, the first steps, and the first words. Another milestone that we want to recognize is a child’s first visit to the dentist. Do you know when a child should visit the dentist for the first time? Whether you have a young child in your life at the moment or not, this is important information to have. A child should visit the dentist for the first time by their first birthday. This gives us the opportunity to examine the first teeth and ensure they are erupting from the gums properly.
Many patients experience nervousness when visiting our office, and our young patients are no exception. We want our office to be a safe and comfortable place for our patients of all ages, but especially the youngest ones. Here are some helpful tips to prepare for and encourage a positive first experience in our office:
Schedule Appointments at the Ideal Time
We recommend scheduling an appointment for your young child during a time that is ideal for their schedule. Try to avoid meal or nap time or after a long day of school or daycare. We want their first visit to feel relaxed.
Be Positive
If you have a fear of the dentist, it can be difficult to keep your feelings to yourself, but it is extremely important that you hide them from your child. Children are perceptive and read energy well. It is important that our office be viewed as a safe space and for children to know that the dentist is a helpful adult.
Introduce the Dentist
Many times, children and adults have a fear of the unknown. Be sure to introduce the concept of the dentist and what they can expect during their visit. There are a number of cartoons and children’s books that show what will happen at the dentist. You can also visit our website, which has pictures of our dentists and dental team.
We hope these tips help you with your child or loved one’s first dentist appointment. If you are in Wilmington, DE or the surrounding area, and you or a loved one is due for a routine examination, please call our office to schedule an appointment today. We can’t wait to see you and your loved one soon!
