The days of assuming that your teeth will fall out when you’re old are passed, there is no reason why you can’t keep a full set of teeth right up to your dying day. However, this does mean that the earlier you teach your children the importance of visiting the dentist and good oral hygiene, the better.
It’s worth noting that oral hygiene has been directly linked to a variety of diseases, you owe it to your children to instill a good oral health care regime.
Choose the Right Dentist
The first thing you need is a good pediatric dentist, this is someone who is used to dealing with children and will be supportive on their first visit. In addition, they’ll have the specialist knowledge needed to ensure your child gets the very best care possible.
Do it in the morning
Your child will be fresher and have less time to stress about a dental appointment if you do it in the morning. This should be easy to arrange, simply call and book the earliest slot that works for you.
Talk About It
Once you’ve booked an appointment tell your child, even though it is likely to be a few weeks away. It’s a good idea to run through with them what a typical visit to the dentist entails. They can then ask any questions and you can gauge whether they seem particularly anxious or not.
It’s essential that you stay calm during this stage.
A Pre-Visit
To help your child become accustomed to the idea of a dentist you may want to book yourself an appointment first. Check with your dentist but they should be happy for your child to watch your appointment. This will help your child to see that the visit is normal and nothing to worry about.
If this isn’t an option, simply visit the dentist and sit in the waiting room for a short period, you’ll probably need to tell the receptionist what you’re doing.
This will help your child to accept the dentist as a normal occurrence that everyone does.
Talk to the dentist
You need to talk to the dentist when you arrive to explain your child’s history. This means any past dental experiences, hospital visits, or health issues. You especially need to let them know regarding any allergies if your child has them.
It’s worth noting that if your child is 4 or under, they will probably not be okay having the exam without you.
Watch & Engage With Your Child
During the visit you need to watch your child, you should know them well enough to know how they will react and warn the dentist if necessary. You can also help to distract them and make the visit fun by talking to them and telling them a funny story.
Of course, it’s not a good idea to make them laugh while the dentist is looking in their mouth.
Treat Them
The days of getting a lollipop after a dental visit are gone but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat your child, a visit to their favorite soft play area or something similar will go down well. It will also make them keener to return to the dentist.