4 Ways To Help Your Child Feel Comfortable About A First Dental Visit

If you are the parent of a child who feels nervous or anxious about receiving dental services for the first time, you may not know how to make your child feel at ease. Children often see dental visits depicted as painful events on cartoons. In addition, if your little one has not visited a dentist before, he or she may simply be afraid of the unknown. Here are a few ways to help your child feel comfortable with visiting a dentist for the first time:

Choose a pediatric dentist.

Select a pediatric dentist for your child. Although family dentists, such as Plaza Family Dentistry, are well equipped to care for primary teeth, pediatric dentists have received years of additional training that focuses on the dental needs of children. In addition, because a pediatric dental office caters to kids, the décor in the office is more likely to be kid-friendly so that your child is less intimidated by the clinical setting.

Visit the office for a tour before the actual visit.

Call the office of the pediatric dentist whom you select and ask for an office tour prior to your little one's appointment. Your youngster is less likely to feel threatened by an environment with which he or she has become acquainted.

In addition, visit the website of the office to allow the child to become familiar with the faces of office staff members. 

Watch videos of pleasant dental experiences.

Children nowadays seem to stay connected to electronic devices, and in this age, someone has taken the time to videotape their child's dental services. Preview videos of pleasant pediatric dental visits and share them with your child. As he or she sees other children enjoying a visit to the dentist, your child is apt to be more at ease about his or her own upcoming visit.

Explain the importance of healthy teeth and gums.

Sometimes, children just need to know why they need to visit a dentist. Once a child understands how visiting a dentist helps protect their teeth from painful cavities, he or she may be more willing to cooperate during a visit. Use pictures that depict unhealthy teeth to help the child identify what the dentist is helping them avoid. However, avoid dental pictures that may be too scary or graphic for your child.

Many children are afraid to visit a dentist. However, you can help your child prepare for his or her first visit by remaining positive, exposing your child to the dental office beforehand and communicating the benefits of a dental appointment. If your child has not already had a first dental visit, contact the office of a pediatric dentist today.  


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