The earlier you introduce your child to the pediatric dentist, the more relaxed both you will be. Often, an infant or toddler’s first dental visit is simply a short icebreaker to establish the pediatric dentist’s office as a safe, friendly location. Taking the time to do this will make all your subsequent visits much less stressful. Most expert staff know just how nerve-wracking a first visit can be, especially if you’re a new parent and their first tooth was a bit of a surprise—so they’ll be there to walk you through every step.
For starters – dental habits should begin at home and not after visiting a pediatric dentist
The best kind of checkup is a cavity-free checkup. Moms and dads can help make this happen by encouraging kids to brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day. Your child might want to do all the brushing herself but doesn’t have the fine motor skills needed to do a thorough job. Let them start and assist them only when needed.
Preparing for the pediatric dentist appointment
The way kids seem to pick up on their parents’ feelings sometimes seems uncanny; so, if you’re nervous about going to the dentist yourself, try not to let it show. Generally, during this visit we’ll simply be talking to you and your child, looking into his or her mouth, and making oral health assessments. It’s best to tell your child what to expect beforehand, without making too big a fuss about it. You could even build some excitement by helping them get ready for the pediatric dentist appointment.
When you come in, it’s a good idea to bring a comforting toy, a snack, and an extra diaper or two, just in case of fussiness. If possible, leave other kids at home, so we can concentrate on the new patient — but if you can bring another adult along, it may free your attention to focus on your child’s oral health. Likewise, filling out forms in advance may save time and effort on the day of the visit.
Some pediatric dentist will ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold the young patient in their lap during the first few examinations. It can also be helpful to take your younger children along for an older sibling’s dental visit so that they can get accustomed to the office and the people.
Many first visits are nothing more than initial starters to familiarize your child with the pediatric dentist and the practice. If your child is scared, uneasy or rebellious, a rescheduling may be needed. Tolerance and calm on the part of the parent and comforting communication with your child are very important in these instances. Short, successive visits are meant to build the child’s trust in the dentist and the dental office, and can prove invaluable if your child needs to be treated later for any dental problem.
Greater Washington Dentistry: Dr.Shohreh Sharif
8626 Lee Hwy #205 Fairfax, VA 22031
703-992-9222
www.washingtondentist.com
