3 Ways To Prepare For Your Child’s First Dental Visit
Parents, we’ve all been here before. It is time for your child’s first dental visit and you don’t know what to expect. What do you tell your child? What if your child is scared? What if you’re scared? It’s okay to feel nervous, even a bit anxious. But there are a few ways that you can prepare for this first dental visit!
We’ve had hundreds (and more) parents and kiddos walk through our doors throughout the years so we know how you feel when you come in the office for the first time! To better help you be ready for your first visit, we’ve chosen the 3 best ways for you to prepare for your child’s first dental visit.
First and foremost, remember that the more you know, the better prepared you can be for the visit as well. Familiarize yourself with the dentist office that you have chosen, such as the dentist, wait times, what paperwork needs to be filled out, what insurances are accepted, etc. Understanding the office environment and knowing the staff ahead of time can truly give you some peace of mind (learn about our office and our staff!).
Second, telling your child what to expect during the visit will not only ease their fears but it will help them have an idea of what will happen. Not only does education about the office help you be better prepared, but knowing what a first visit entails helps as well. At the first dental visit, we will review your child’s dental and medical history, provide a thorough but gentle examination of your child’s teeth, oral tissues and jaws, and discuss any findings with you. We will also clean and polish your child’s teeth and apply a fluoride varnish to help keep the child’s teeth strong and healthy. Finally, we will discuss your child’s diet and oral hygiene practices in order to maintain healthy teeth for the next six months.
Lastly, starting great dental habits early makes the visit better for you and for your dentist! Coming in for the first time and hearing that your child has cavities is not great news for everyone. Did you know that The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends having your child come in for their first visit by the time their first tooth erupts? We strongly recommend parents schedule their child’s first dental visit at one year of age or when the first tooth erupts into the mouth (whichever comes first). Early dental visits can help catch dental problems when they first start, or even better, prevent them from occurring in the first place!
Contact us with any questions that you may have about when to bring your child in for their visit, we are prepared and excited to meet you!
