Making Dental Appointments Easy for Kids

Here are our additions to these great tips from the Delta Dental Tooth Fairy:

1) Make their first trip to the dentist around their first birthday.  Kids who get used to dental visits as young toddlers have an easier time than kids who wait until they are three or four.

2) Don’t over prepare them. Tell them that we are going to count their teeth and check how their smile is growing. Using words like “drill” or “shot,” even when talking about your own dental visits, can make the dentist sound scary.

3) Avoid bribery.  Promising a special treat if they behave at the dentist may increase their apprehension.  Plus, using sugary foods to incentivize good behavior is contradictory to the message that healthy snacks are a part of good oral hygiene.

4) Emphasize that visiting the dentist is normal and routine.  Just like brushing twice a day, visiting the dentist every six months is a part of life-long oral health.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s first dental appoint, please don’t hesitate to call us at 757-609-3510.  We’d be happy to talk through a plan to make it comfortable and easy for you and your child.