Taking your kids for a dental visit for the first time is one of those benchmarks that parents talk about having done. There are things that you can do that will help to make the visit one that goes off without a hitch. Here are some of the things that you can do to prepare your kids for their first dental visit.
Practice Oral Hygiene
Brushing twice daily and flossing is something that you should instill in your kids from a young age. This will help to ensure that their visit to the dentist isn’t something to dread. Set a good example when it comes to practicing oral hygiene. Make it part of your daily routine so that your kids get used to taking care of their teeth on their own.
Discuss the Procedure
Talk about the kinds of things that will be done when your children are at the dental office. You may want to pull up pictures of the dental tools that they may encounter during their visit. Another thing to consider is taking a pair of sunglasses with you. This will make the prospect of laying back in the chair something that’s a little more special for them.
Make It a Game
Practice having your kids open up their mouths and letting you look inside. This will make it easier on the hygienist that will be cleaning their teeth. It will also make it more fun if you try to make it into a game. See who can leave their mouth open for the longest in order to win the contest. Another option is to offer them a special reward if they can manage to follow instructions during the visit. Bring a book or something else to distract them.
Allow Time to Prepare
Get to the office early. You want to put your kids at ease before they have to go back for their cleaning and checkup. Ask the staff working with your kids to introduce themselves so that your kids don’t feel threatened by a stranger. Stay with your kids and remember to remain calm. Your kids will sense if you feel anxious and will act out accordingly.
Taking the time to prepare for a dental checkup makes the visit less traumatic. You don’t want to start things off on the wrong foot. A successful dental checkup without having any cavities will set your kids up to be more willing to go back in the future.
