Kids Guide

How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

Early appointments are super important for making sure your child’s smile is healthy and their oral development is on track. A big benefit is that going to the dentist young lets kids get comfortable and develop a rapport with the practice, making future visits a breeze. We know going to the dentist for the first time can be a little scary. Here’s how to prepare your child for their first dental visit to ensure it runs smoothly:

1. Be positive

Studies have shown that parents can pass their dental anxiety on to their children. So, even if you aren’t a huge fan of the dentist, don’t let it show in front of your kiddo. Always chat about the dentist in positive terms.

2. Tell your child about their first dental visit on the same day as the appointment

When kids (or grown-ups) don’t know what to expect, sometimes, the imagination can run wild and not in a good way. That’s why we don’t recommend that parents tell their child about the first dentist appointment too far in advance. It can lead to a lot of anxiety. It’s not a great idea to completely surprise them either and just show up at the dentist without warning. Letting them know about the visit on the morning of the appointment is the best bet. Tell them that a nice tooth doctor will be counting their teeth and showing them how to keep their smile strong and healthy. Answer questions they have but don’t go into too much detail and avoid using words like “drill,” “pain,” “shot,” “needle” or “hurt.”

3. Watch videos or read books about going to the dentist

When kids see their favorite characters happily visiting the dentist, it helps put a positive spin on it. There are tons of videos and books about going to the dentist that children will love. A few of our favorite books are Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer, Elmo Visits the Dentist by Dalmatian Press and The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain.

4. Play some games

Simply play dentist! Break out your child’s toothbrush and have them sit in a chair. Pretend you’re the dentist and count and brush their teeth. Talk through what you’re doing and why oral hygiene is so important. Then, swap roles or let your child have a turn being the dentist with a stuffed animal.

5. Schedule their first dental visit wisely

This one isn’t necessarily a tip for preparing your child for the dentist but it is helpful for keeping tantrums and tears at bay. Schedule your child’s first dentist appointment at a time when they’re typically in a good mood. Usually after a nap and a meal works well. When kids are hungry or tired, they tend to be less tolerant of new situations and not as cooperative.

6. Use positive reinforcement

If your child is afraid of the dentist and they’re feeling anxious about their first dental visit, let them know it’s completely normal and offer plenty of positive reinforcement by praising them for conquering their fears and being brave. As pediatric dentists, we’ve seen it all, so if your child isn’t compliant or cries at the visit, it’s completely fine and you shouldn’t stress about it. It happens and every visit gets easier. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, draw attention to everything that went right. Tell them how proud you are about the positive aspects of the appointment and think up ways to overcome the negative things together. Bring Friends! – If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or toy, bring it with you to the first dentist appointment. A familiar, beloved friend will help them feel safe and secure.

7. Bring friends!

If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or toy, bring it with you to the first dentist appointment. A familiar, beloved friend will help them feel safe and secure. 

Preventing Tooth Decay in Children

Combat the Effects of Sugar on Your Kids’ Oral Care Routine:

• Try to have snacks that are healthy and nutritious without added sugar.
• Save treats like candy, cookies and pies for after mealtime, since this is when the amount of saliva produced in the mouth is greater and will therefore better help protect your child’s teeth.
• Dairy acts as a buffer to the acids produced by oral bacteria, decreasing the possibility of tooth decay. So consider serving your children yogurt and cheese with holiday candies and treats.
• Use children flossers to remove plaque and food debris between children’s between teeth that are tight together.
• To help pace the amount of candy your child is consuming around holidays like Halloween and Easter, store excess candy in a sealed container and establish set times when your child can have a treat.
• Encourage children to drink more water to help prevent tooth decay after snack times and throughout the day. It will help to rinse food from the mouth and encourage saliva which has natural protectants for the teeth in it.
• It is important not to share food with your child, since bacteria is what causes tooth decay and we don’t want to give the bacteria that causes cavities to our children. Sugars can accelerate the process but bacteria that causes cavities is the root of the problem.

One of the best ways to prevent tooth decay in children is to get them enthusiastic about daily dental hygiene. After all, tooth brushing is probably not at the top of your child’s list of favorite things to do. But you can make it more acceptable—and even fun—by choosing a toothpaste and toothbrush that your child will like and will want to use.

Knowing how to brush your teeth is MORE important than the type of toothpaste you choose. Teach children the proper technique early to help encourage them to develop good oral health habits. Explaining how to brush your teeth doesn’t have to be complicated. Children love to mimic, get together as a family and show them how it’s done! Turn on some music, most songs are 2 minutes, which is the recommended time for brushing, choose one a bit longer so you also have time for flossing, and have some fun!