Helpful Tips For A Child’s First Visit To The Dentist

When you have a young child or loved one in your care there are many exciting milestones that are celebrated. This time of year is always a time of great excitement for those with young children. We think there is another exciting time in a young child’s life that we need to mention — their first dentist appointment. You might be surprised to learn that we recommend that a child visit our office for the first time no later than their first birthday. So, while you are planning the party, birthday pictures, and cake smash, be sure to call our office to schedule an appointment. We know that visiting the dentist can be a bit intimidating for the little ones (and sometimes their parents too), so we wanted to offer some tips to help make their first experience a little easier.

Schedule the Appointment Wisely

It is best to schedule the appointment at a time when your child is usually in a good frame of mind. We would recommend avoiding an appointment during nap time, near a meal time, or immediately after daycare or school. You want to ensure that your child is in the best mood possible for their visit.

Introduce the Dentist

There are many resources available to help you introduce the dentist and the office to your child. Be sure to visit our website and show your child pictures of our office and our dental team. Before your visit, reading a story or watching a tv show about a dentist visit is always helpful to show that the dentist and the office is a safe place.

Get Excited

Children can pick up on our emotions. Be sure to remain positive and help your child become excited about their visit to the dentist. Role playing with a doll or stuffed animal is also a fun game to help get prepared.

We hope these tips help you with your child or loved one’s first dentist appointment. If you are located in the Silverdale, WA area, please call our office to schedule an appointment today. We can’t wait to see you and your special one soon.