Contrary to all belief, the child’s first visit to the dentist can be comfortable – without crying, fear or stress. For that to be the case, it is necessary to properly prepare the child. In this guide, we share proven tips that will help parents gently introduce their children to the world of dental examinations.
The first visit to the dentist should take place when the child is about 2 years old. At this age, children already understand the dentist and can cooperate. Earlier, it is good to see the dentist before the child is 1 year old, preferably during teething, to learn the rules of good hygiene and nutrition.
Important!
It is worth planning the first visit before any dental procedure is actually needed. This checkup is very important as the dentist will see if all teeth have developed properly, examine the bite, and check the teeth for the signs of caries. The first visit to the dentist will stay in the child’s memory for a long time, so it is worth making sure that the meeting with the dentist is not a problem beforehand.
Very often, a visit to the dentist is not as stresful to children… as to their parents. They are worried that the child will be nervous and cry. As a result, parents’ fear often affect the child, subconsciously causing anxiety. That is why, it is better to stay positive about the visit and prepare the child for it before going to the dentist for the first time.
At Centrum Estetique, we have a unique approach to little Patients. To ensure that your child’s first real visit is comfortable and carried out in a pleasant atmosphere, we recommend preparing the child in 2 stages: first at home and then in the office.
The child should have positive associations with the dentist, even before the first meeting. They can be easily triggered by playing dentist at home, where children feel comfortable and at ease. The child’s favourite stuffed animals can turn into imaginary patients and the subsequent visit at the dental office can be treated as a continuation of the game.
In our Centre, we always start familiarising little Patients with the dentist with the help of an adaptation visit. The visit does not involve any treatment, and the dentist invites the child to get to know the office, the dental chair and other equipment. The dentist establishes a relationship with the child, telling about the teeth and their hygiene, and they often play together with the tools.
This way, children can see that the meeting with the dentist is not scary at all and they will come to the first real visit with a smile.
