You've found the perfect dentist in your area. After searching through online review after review, you narrowed your list down and made your choice. You called, made an appointment, and are ready to take your family to their first healthy mouth visit. But, wait. Your young child won't go. Nope. She's refusing to see the dentist, and you don't know what to do. It's okay. You can get through this and help your child to feel more comfortable with visiting the dentist. How? Check out these simple steps that may make her feel better about going for a check-up.
Read a Book
Storytime is one of your child's favorite activities. Why not give it a dental theme? There are plenty of picture books that focus on a first dentist visit. These include (but certainly aren't limited to) Doctor De Soto by William Steig, ABC Dentist by Harriet Ziefert and Liz Murphy, Maisy, Charley, and the Wobbley Tooth: A Maisy First Experience Book by Lucy Cousins and The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain. Read the book interactively, asking your child questions or pointing to parts of the pictures as you go along. This type of story session helps to familiarize your child with the dental office, in a completely child-friendly way.
Go for a Pre-Visit Visit
Calm your child's fear of the unknown with a trip to the dentist—no, not a trip for her first cleaning. Instead, take her to talk to the dental pro. Schedule time to go in and sit down with the dentist and the hygienist. Your child will get the chance to meet the staff and familiarize herself with what to expect. She can ask questions, hear answers, and get to know the dentist as her friend—and not a stranger.
Talk to a Friend
How did you find your new dentist? Was it from a family friend? If you know someone who has a child who has been to your new dentist, you're in luck. Set up a playdate or just stop by to talk. The other child can tell you kiddo about the dentist, letting her know what to expect from the visit and the staff. This first-hand story may calm your child in a way that your words can't.
Play 20 Questions
Your child's apprehension may come from a fear of the unknown. Even if she's been to a dentist before, she might not know what to expect from this new one. Play a game of 20 questions, letting her ask you whatever is on her mind (about the dentist that is).
You know the importance of regular dental exams in your child's life. Starting out at a new office doesn't have to be scary for your little one. With some careful planning (and even a game) you can calm her worries and make the dental visit a stress-free time.
Share7 November 2016
My son was outside playing with some friends when he accidentally fell down and hit his mouth on the sidewalk. The fall knocked out his front tooth, so I immediately placed the tooth in a small jar and added some milk. I rushed my son to the dental clinic and the dentist immediately took us into the examination room. The dentist placed the tooth back into the socket and saved it. My name is Beverly Tillman and thanks to the quick work of the dentist, my son didn't lose his tooth. Since this was a scary time for me and my son, I wanted to write this blog as a source of information for other parents who are facing a dental emergency. First of all, don't panic and get to your dentist as soon as possible. I hope this blog will help to answer your questions about dental emergencies.