From a very young age, children need to get into the habit of practicing good oral hygiene. At Setzer, Cochran, Soares and Hubbard, the premium pediatric dentistry in North Jacksonville, we believe that the first visit to the dentist is the most important for every child. Fun dental visits that are as stress free as possible will make children more comfortable with future visits which in turn ensures that good oral health is maintained. For parents, the first visit to the dentist can be a challenge. However, you can eliminate a lot of your stress if you follow these tips:
- Make your first trip early
- The biggest mistake a lot of parents make is to wait a long time before bringing their children in for their first dental checkup. Our experts recommend making your first trip when your child is still very young so that any problems are caught soon and treated before they develop into something more serious and stressful. In addition to this, getting children comfortable with the dentist from a very young age will give them more confidence as they grow older.
- Conduct your own oral exams and make them fun
- When you check your children’s teeth at home, they are likely to feel more comfortable during an oral exam. You can even dress up as a dentist and take turns to check each other’s teeth. By making it fun and playful, you gradually get them accustomed to the situation which will reduce the likelihood of any negative reactions when a professional does it.
- Make dentist visits a family affair
- As the best pediatric dentistry in North Jacksonville, we encourage parents to bring their children along whenever they go for their dental appointments. By doing so, you are introducing them to the environment and helping them familiarize. Part of what makes children fear the dentist is not being familiar with their surroundings.
- Remember that timing is everything
- We have mentioned several times that dental visits are scary and stressful not only for children but for parents as well. Pay attention to your child’s mood before dragging them to the dentist. When the timing is not right, children become even more stressed out and are likely to throw tantrums and resist the checkup. Furthermore, it is always a good idea to avoid bringing in children who are hungry, sleepy, sick or generally tired and grumpy. The best solution would be to arrive at least 20 minutes before your appointment, to give them time to adjust and to give you time to leave if you sense that your child is really not in the mood.
Conclusion
Oral hygiene is an integral part of childhood development but it can also be stressful and scary. As long as you remember to make the trip as fun as possible and as long as you pay attention to your child and you don’t rush them into something they are not comfortable with, their visit to the dentist should be relatively pleasant and successful.