It can be scary to visit the dentist for the first time, and even adults can get nervous about their first visit. For a child, visiting the dentist for the first time can be a fear of the unknown, but you can alleviate these jitters and be sure that the first visit doesn’t involve any painful or intensive procedures. Usually, the first appointment is about building trust with the child and familiarising them with their dental needs.
If your child is anxious about the first dental visit, you can prepare him to ease the nerves and make him understand the importance of regular dental checkups with just a few tips.
Why are Regular Dental Checkups Important for Your Child?
Many parents are unaware that children who visit the dentist from a young age are likely to keep up with the appointments when they are adults. They are also less likely to experience poor oral health and dental anxiety. Regular dental meetings allow for monitoring the children’s teeth, jaws, and mouth as they grow up.
Dental appointments are also beneficial in catching the problems that are easy to treat and can become severe later. Parents also need to realise that regular checkups offer treatments to lower oral health risks, whereas you can get advice from the dentist on caring for the child’s teeth at home. Kids who often visit the dentist are familiar with the staff, equipment, and environment, and it is excellent for preventing their dental anxiety.
How to Prepare Your Kid for the First Visit to the Dentist?
- Talk About What Will Happen at the Appointment
Dental anxiety passes from parents to children, so it is better not to show it to the child. If the child fears the first dental visit, make them understand that it is normal and praise them for being brave.
- Read Books About Visiting the Dentist
If you want the child to be ready for the dentist’s visit, books can benefit you. Let the child see their favourite character visiting the dentist. There are several excellent books in the market, and you can benefit from them.
- Role Play with the Child
Role-playing can be great for bringing the child at ease. Before the appointment, create an environment to make the child feel that he is in the dental office. You can pick a stuffed animal and make it act as a dentist.
- Better to Bring a Friend
If your child loves a toy or a stuffed animal, bringing it for the appointment is better. When there is a familiar friend, it can make the child feel safe and comfortable.
- Get an Appointment When the Child is Mentally Prepared
You must look to schedule the right time for the appointment. Children feel fresh and full of energy in the morning time. So, it is better to avoid scheduling a time when the child is cranky or groggy.
What to Expect on the Child’s First Visit to the Dentist?
It is always challenging to know what to expect on your child’s first visit to the dentist, but it depends on what the child is comfortable with and, most importantly, the child’s age. For young children and babies, the first visit would involve checking teeth and gums by sitting in the parent’s lap to feel secure. Some children need several visits before they feel comfortable to allow the dentist to check their mouth.
In the early stages, the dentist’s primary goal is to make the child feel as comfortable and secure as possible. If the child is older, the dentist will take an x-ray and look closer at the teeth under the child’s gumline. He may provide dental treatments and remove the plaque buildup. The dentist can recommend corrective or preventive treatments and offer advice on oral hygiene so that the child can benefit from it.
Child’s Dentist Appointment in Newport, NSW, Australia
It is a big step to bring your kid for the first visit to the dentist; therefore, preparing him for that is essential. If you are looking for the top pediatric dentist in Newport, NSW, Australia, Newport Dental Center can be your ideal choice. Our skilled pediatric dentists are there to care for your child’s teeth and make the entire process stress-free and comfortable.
Contact us today, and we will happily see you and your child in our clinic.
Dr. Dhrupad Patel, a dedicated dentist in Newport, focuses on restoring oral health for the local and Northern Beaches community. With a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and accreditation from the Australian Dental Board, Dr. Dhrupad Patel excels in surgical procedures and smile design. Outside of work, he enjoys photography, travel, cricket, and F1.
