Your Child’s First Dental Visit
Parents often stress about their child’s first visit with a dentist. They wonder if their child will fuss and cry, and how they can possible make it an enjoyable and comfortable experience.
Don’t let your fears keep you from taking your child to the dentist. At Park Mall Dental Centre, a children’s dentist in Sherwood Park, we offer the following tips to parents preparing for their child’s first dental visit:
Start dental visits as early as possible
The most important tip for starting a child off on a lifetime of regular dental visits is to start them at an early age. The general rule of thumb is to take your child to their first appointment with their Sherwood Park dentist by the time they are one, or within 6 months of their first tooth eruption.
Making dental visits a routine
Normal occurrence at such a young age will help prevent your child from developing dental anxiety or an unwillingness to visit the dentist later on.
Keep a good attitude
Even if your child is very young, you should strive to keep a positive attitude on the way to their Sherwood Park children’s dentist. Babies and toddlers can easily pick up on your emotions. If you don’t enjoy going to the dentist and you let your feelings show, they may learn not to enjoy it either.
Read books about the dentist together
If your child is a bit older for their first dental visit, then you can try preparing them by reading them children’s stories about the dentist. Colorful picture books can introduce them to the idea of dental checkups and to the importance of oral hygiene.
Take turns pretending to be the dentist
Once your child has been introduced to the dentist through books, why not take turns pretending to be the dentist? Pretend to inspect your child’s mouth, and let them do the same to you and to their toys. It is best, however, if you don’t make any scary drilling sounds!
Visit the clinic ahead of time
Before your child’s first appointment at a Sherwood Park dentist, it can be beneficial to visit the clinic for a meet-and-greet. Not only will this help your child become familiar with the space and less likely to fear being there when you return, but you’ll be able to get a good idea of the clinic’s atmosphere.
Encountering a friendly staff and a dentist who genuinely loves to work with children will help put your mind at ease about the upcoming appointment. As was touched on before, your attitude can have an impact on how your child feels.
If you’re looking for a clinic with a stress-free atmosphere and a friendly children’s dentist in Sherwood Park, then Park Mall Dental Centre is happy to welcome you.
Contact Park Mall Dental Centre today to book an appointment for your child’s first dental visit, and feel free to ask us if you have any more questions about making it a success.