Talking To Your Child About The Dentist

The way you talk about the dentist to your child can affect how they view their dental appointments. It’s important to emphasize why it’s important to visit the dentist and that it’s not an intimidating experience. Here are a few tips on talking to your child about the dentist.

Start Going to the Dentist As Soon as Possible

The American Dental Association recommends bringing your child for their first dental appointment when they are one year old or when their first tooth appears. Not only does visiting a dentist help your child’s oral development, but it also helps them become familiar with a dental office. When a child knows what to expect, it can be easier for them to go to the dentist in the future.

Talk Positively About the Dentist

Don’t let your own fear encourage your child to become afraid of the dentist. Explain that a dentist is a friend that helps take care of teeth. You may also want to talk about things your child can look forward to during their visit like watching their favorite show on the TV or receiving a prize from the dentist. Check out story books from the library about the trips that their animal friends and favorite characters make to the dentist.

Encourage Kids To Take Care of Their Oral Health

It helps to praise your child for taking care of their teeth. You should also tell them that visiting the dentist regularly is an important part of their oral hygiene routine. This type of positive encouragement can help make it easier for your child to visit the dentist since they know it’s important to take care of their teeth. During their regular visits we can help them improve their oral care skills.

Make the Visit Fun

Make a dentist visit a fun trip for your child. This can encourage them in the future to go again. For example, you can reward your child with a trip to the park after their dentist visit. You could also choose a child-friendly dentist since they will often have amenities to make sure that your child has a good time. At Tots to Teens, our amenities include TVs, a treasure chest full of prizes, books, and more.

Comprehensive Care at Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Our pediatric dental office offers gentle and compassionate care. We use techniques like the “Tell-Show-Do” method where we explain what’s going to happen and demonstrate the procedure before we do it. Please give us a call if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

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Categorised in: Cavity Prevention, Kids Dental Care, Preventive Dental Care