Your Child’s First Visit To The Dentist : What To Expect And How To Prepare Your Child.
Tooth decay is the #1 chronic childhood illness, so scheduling your child’s first dentist visit early is crucial for preventing cavities. Seeing the dentist early on in life will also help your child get used to the idea of taking care of their teeth and gums. Our pediatric dentists want to help your child build a strong foundation for oral health. They do this by talking to your child about their oral health in a way they understand. Our entire team also goes above and beyond to make sure your child always feels comfortable and safe.
The sooner children begin getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. Early checkups help prevent cavities and tooth decay, which can lead to pain, trouble concentrating and other medical issues. Youngsters with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly and smile with confidence.
The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics say that every child should visit a dentist by age 1 – or as soon as the first tooth appears.
how do i prepare my child for their first dentist visit?
You want to make sure your child feels as comfortable and safe as possible. The best way to do this is to remain calm yourself and avoid using any words that may frighten your child. It’s important that you set an example for your child and act relaxed and even excited about going to the dentist. They will pick up on your positive outlook of the dentist and probably react similarly.
what to expect from the first visit:
This session more of an informative and interactive session wherein the child is being taken for a tour around the dental clinic and the child is made familiar with the environment ,secondly parents are given facts about the teeth and it’s surrounding tissues along with techniques that enable them maintain a good oral health for their children and themselves.
- Take Your Child With You on Your Dental Visit.
- Watch Videos and Read Books About Dentist Visits.
- Pick a Time That Works for Your Child, Younger children tend to do better in the morning.
- Use Positive Reinforcement
how to reduce first visit anxiety ?
- It’s normal for your child to be nervous or anxious before a dental visit. Let them know it’s okay to be nervous, but praise them for being brave.
- Even if you as a parent don’t like the dentist, refrain from talking about any dental anxiety around your children even if it is with someone else.
- Bring a Favorite Toy.
- Answer any questions your child has. Avoid words like shot, pain, needle, or hurt even if you say it won’t hurt. Your child will hear that word.
why my child need to visit the dentist?
Primary, or baby teeth, are much more important to your child’s health than you may think. They help with more than chewing. It’s important that these teeth are healthy, as they:
- help with speech development
- help with proper development and alignment of permanent teeth
- helps in Chewing properly
- promote a healthy smile and self-confidence.
Your pediatric dentist can help your child reap all the benefits of baby teeth and control various undesired oral habits that can be harmful to teeth development like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, nail-biting, etc.
ASK THE DENTIST BLOG BY: Dr. Shirley Newman
DID YOU KNOW:
Pearl Dental Clinic Dubai now offers high quality and comprehensive dental care for infants, children and young adults. To know more do visit us at Pearl Dental Clinic, Dubai.