A Fun Visit to the Dentist

I recently took our middle child for his first cleaning and checkup with the dentist. It was FANTASTIC! I know, you hear a lot of horror stories about a kid’s first visit to the dentist. In fact, most of my childhood (and early adulthood) was spent dreading the dentist. So, anyway, I thought I would share a good dental story out here, and let you in on a few of the things we did with our son going into the visit. I’m not saying that these things are the keys to a perfect visit, but maybe they’ll spur some ideas for making your kids’ first visit a fun and playful experience.

Regularly brush with your kids: Probably the simplest tip, but I think the most important. Start brushing with your kids at a very early age. If they’re already used to brushing, and to having you help them brush and check their teeth, they will already be used to the basics of the first checkup.

Familiarity of the Office: Our kids have been coming with us to the dental office for years. I think the fact that they already knew the receptionist, hygienist, and dentist made it a comfortable place to come. Maybe years of familiarity aren’t a possibility, but a visit to the office before the first checkup might make your child more comfortable.

Positive Speech Concerning the Visit: I often want to prepare my kids for a new experience before the event itself, but I have to remind myself to use words that encourage excitement, rather than fear. Talking about the big fun chair, tickling toothbrush, and the water sucking straw (my son’s favorite part of the whole visit, if you ask him) might built excitement for your child.

Bring sunglasses: The bright lights can sometimes be a bit much. Some dental offices will have sunglasses for the kids to wear, but bring some just in case. It’ll be a good start to a more comfortable visit, and less like an interrogation. ;)

Know Office Policy: Some offices do not allow parents to go back with the kids to the examining offices. Though I definitely understand that some kids will do better with the parents not around, I can’t see letting my 3 year old go off in a room with a stranger. Be sure to know the office policy before you arrive and to make sure that it’s something you’re comfortable with.

Types of Dental Offices: While our kids go to the dentist that we’ve been going to for years (and, so far, the oldest 2 love it), there are also pediatric dental offices. Some parents will prefer for their children to go to a dentist who only treats children.

Additional tips from the hygienist:

1. If your child has a hard time the first visit, don’t sweat it. It’s normal. Don’t make a big deal of it, just bring them back at their next scheduled visit.
2. Know how much the dental office plans to do on an initial visit. Some will just start out with a cleaning and check, while others will do all of the X-rays as well.
3. There’s no need to start them before the age of three. It’s hard enough to get young kids to sit still, much less when they’re in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. Start trying at three, and see how your child does from there.

And when your child does well at a visit, provide lots of praise and encouragement! The stickers and such are a great treat from the dentist, but a parent’s pride means so much. Let them know how proud you are, and then let them pick out a fun new brush to keep up with all the good work. :)

What are your tips for a good visit to the dentist?