Are you getting ready to take your child to the dentist for the first time? Here's what you need to know about preparing your child for their appointment.
It is estimated
that 85.9% of children aged 2 to 17 had a dentist appointment in 2018. That percentage is much higher than 78.4% in 2009.
Taking children to the dentist when they are young is very important. That is why you should find a dentist in Stockton, CA, to allow them to develop healthy dental habits.
Visiting the dentist is as important as brushing and flossing daily. This is a part of their dental care that they will continue for the rest of their life.
Keep reading to find out more about taking your child to a dentist in Stockton, CA.
Talk Positively
If your child has never been to the dentist before, this can be a stressful dentist visit. Both parents and children tend to feed off of each other‘s anxiety when it comes to things like this.
If you are nervous about this first dentist appointment, you could easily impact your child. The last thing you want to do is give them the impression that this is a scary ordeal.
If you are nervous about this and you can’t help it, try to hide it from your child. Talk normally and positively about the dentist visit without bringing up anything negative.
Don’t go into all of the things that could go wrong or issues that the dentist could find. It is a good idea to explain what this process includes but only in positive ways.
Explain the Process
Most parents like to describe a dentist appointment to their child. In many instances, this can help with
any dental anxiety that they may be having.
You could even make this fun and role-play going to the dentist with your child. You could set up a make-believe dental office and pretend to be the kid's dentist.
The more fun you make this, the less fear they will ultimately feel. You don’t want to trick them into believing that this is just a game, but it can help the dental office not feel so scary.
If you are able to think ahead, you can even buy a dentist play kit. This way, they can get familiar with some of the tools that their dentists will be using.
You could also show your child in the mirror everything that the dentist is going to look at and do. Giving them physical examples is a great way to set their mind at ease.
You can also look up the dentist online and show your child their picture. Sometimes it seeing the person that they will interact with is a good way to take away some of the fear.
Read a Book About It
One great resource for parents is books about
going to the dentist. If your child has to go to the dentist, they may feel better if they have read about it.
Most likely your child isn’t old enough to read, but you can read to them with the books that you have bought. These children's books usually put a fun twist on going to the dentist that keeps kids engaged.
Your dentist that you choose may even have these books available in the office. But it is a good idea to get a sneak peek at home before going to the appointment.
Bring a Friend
Dental care can be quite intimidating for little children that find it unfamiliar. One great way to counteract these negative feelings is to bring a friend.
Your child most likely has an item that comforts them and makes them braver. For some children, this may be a special blanket or a stuffed animal.
You can pretend that they are going to come to the dentist with them for moral support. A stuffed animal can be especially comforting since you can pretend that they are getting their teeth checked as well.
Choose the Right Time
Every parent is going to know what time of the day is ideal for their child. A dentist visit can be stressful and rearranges your child’s schedule.
This can be a bit upsetting for them if they don’t like new things. You should pick a time of day when you know your child is going to be in the best mood possible.
This is usually sometime in the morning or the afternoon when they are wide awake and energized. An early-morning appointment may result in a groggy and cranky child.
You also don’t want their appointment to intersect with their nap time. Appointments later in the day are usually not ideal for this reason.
Try to pick pediatric dental care that is close by. Your child may grow more anxious or crankier if you have to drive a distance to get to the appointment.
Find the Right Dentist
Before you ever make a pediatric dental care appointment, you need to
choose a good dentist. Ideally, you already have a kids' dentist that you know and trust.
If that isn’t the case, you will want to do a bit of research online. It is always better to find a dentist that specializes in children and not just a general dentist.
They will be much more skilled when it comes to interacting with very young children.
Preparing Your Child to See a Dentist in Stockton, CA
If your child is going to visit a dentist in Stockton, CA, you may not know how to prepare them. There are a few steps you can use to set your child’s and your mind at ease.
Do you need to find a local dentist?
Contact us today at Galvez Dental to make an appointment.
