Tips to Make Your Child's First Dental Appointment

Most dentists recommend seeing young patients when they are about three years old. Then, just like you adults, they should be seen every six months.

That being said, a child's first dental visit can be very scary and overwhelming. Many fear the dentist before they ever see one! For this reason, you need to make sure that it is as stress-free as possible.

Here are some tips to make sure that your child's first dental visit goes as smoothly as possible.

Take your child with you when you visit the dentist. You should take your child to at least one or two dental appointments so that he or she can see what happens when you go to the dentist. Your child will be able to see that it really isn't a big deal, so he or she won't be as worried when it is his or her turn in the chair!

That being said, if you have anxiety, it would be better for someone else to take your child along. Some parents have anxiety when they go to the dentist, so taking your child along wouldn't be helpful. Instead of watching a calm visit, he or she will learn that the dentist is someone to be feared.

If this is the case, you may want your husband or even your parents to take your child along to their dentist appointments. Then, your child will be able to see that going to the dentist isn't a bad thing.

You may also want them to take your child to the dentist. If you are really afraid of the dentist, you may not want to take your child to his or her first visit (or any of them). It will be a much better experience with someone who doesn't have anxiety at the dentist. So, let your child's grandparents take him or her to the dentist when needed. It is worth missing this milestone if it makes the whole situation go smoother.

Speak calmly about the dentist. Even if you have terrible anxiety about the dentist, it is important that you remain calm for your child. Whenever you talk about going to the dentist, make it sound like a nice experience. If you can't, you shouldn't even bring the subject up.

Show up for your appointment early. If you truly want the experience to go well, you shouldn't be rushing to get there! Give yourself plenty of time to get ready beforehand and leave with time to spare. Then, you and your child won't be upset and stressed when you finally get there. Instead, you will have plenty of time to get there and relax in the waiting room before it is your child's turn.

Think about bringing along something to comfort your child. If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or toy, you may want to bring it along to the visit. This will help to comfort your child if he or she needs some extra reassurance.

If you want your child to have a great experience, you need to show him or her that the dentist isn't something to be feared. For this reason, you should take your child along to a few of your cleanings. He or she will be able to watch the dentist at work, plus he or she will also see that you aren't worried.

If you are too anxious, like I am, it might be better to send your child with a family member. It might even help if your child goes to his or her first appointment with someone other than you if you are scared. You don't want that to rub off on your child.

It may also help to bring along something to comfort your child. A favorite stuffed animal could sit on his or her lap during the cleaning. You also need to give yourself plenty of time to get there. If you are rushed and stressed, you won't be able to relax and have a good experience.

Previously published on Medium.