Dental checkups for the first time can be nerve-wracking for both parents and their young children. Finding a dentist who can put your child at ease while providing excellent dental treatment is essential. An initial “well-baby” appointment with a pediatric dentist is recommended no later than the child’s first birthday or six months after the eruption of the first tooth, whichever comes first.
Baby and toddler tooth decay is on the rise, which may seem shockingly early. Cavities and tooth decay in young children can be excruciatingly painful if not treated right away, and they can also set the stage for a lifetime of poor oral hygiene.
First Dental Visit Preparations
You can always do simple things at home to ease this transition, making the first trip to the dentist something your child could look forward to. You can help your child gain confidence and be ready to hop up in the chair at the dentist by using these suggestions to prepare them for their first dental visit.
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Choosing a Pediatric Dentist
It is more convenient to take your child to your regular dentist, but a pediatric dentist better fits your child’s needs. After dental school, these professionals typically spend an additional two to three years in a residency program where they receive extensive training in pediatric dentistry.
As specialists in pediatric dentistry and oral surgery Charlottetown, understand children’s oral health in a way that general dentists don’t. When it comes to oral health, they are the go-to people for kids of all ages, from infancy to young adulthood, including kids with special needs.
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Talk Positive About the Experience
Researchers have found that parents’ dental anxiety might be transmitted to their offspring. Therefore, even if you aren’t a big fan of going to the dentist yourself, you shouldn’t let that show when you’re in front of your child.
Tell your child it’s natural to be nervous about doing anything for the first time, and give them lots of positive reinforcement by praising them for being brave if they’re afraid of the dentist specializing in dental bridges Whitehorse, and nervous about their first dental visit. Just make sure you don’t overwhelm them with too much information.
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Role-Play With Your Child
If your child is having a problem adjusting to a new situation, role-playing can help. Create a pretend dental clinic in the period before their visit. Get a plush animal of choice and pretend to go to the dentist with it.
Alternatively, you may play dentist and have them count and brush their teeth. Explain to them what you’re doing and why good dental hygiene is crucial. Then switch places or give your youngster a turn being the dentist with a stuffed animal.
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Read Books About Going to the Dentist
A child’s visit to the dentist expert in dentures North Battleford, is just one example of the many situations in which a good book can prove invaluable in preparing a child for what’s to come. Cartoons in which kids’ favorite characters enjoy trips to the dentist can help change their perceptions for the better. Since there are so many excellent books on the subject, picking one might take a lot of work.
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Bring a Comfort Toy
Bring your child’s favorite stuffed animal or toy to the dentist’s appointment if they have one. The dentist will appreciate the distraction. They will feel better, comfortable, and secure in the presence of a known and valued friend.