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Writer's pictureGreater Houston Pediatric Dentistry

How To Prepare For Your Child's First Dental Visit

Going to the dentist for the first time can be a scary and uncomfortable experience. Our dentists at our Houston area dental offices want to help make your little one’s first visit to the dentist a great experience. By taking some time to think through the various reasons why children may be uncomfortable going to the dentist, it is possible to help avoid many of the fears and tears.


child high-fiving the dental hygienist after first dental visit

CHOOSE A KID-FRIENDLY DENTIST

Choosing a dentist to help your child feel comfortable and at ease is important to help your child have a great experience. Our kid-friendly team at Greater Houston Pediatric Dentistry looks forward to welcoming you and your young child to our family. We are committed to providing excellent dental care to the Houston, Katy, and Bunker Hill communities, laying a foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.


EXPLAIN WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE FIRST DENTAL VISIT

The best way to prepare for your child’s first visit is to share with them what they can expect to happen. Help them to imagine the visit by acting out the scenario together. Play dentist together and give a check-up to a stuffed animal. This will help your child to mentally prepare for what to expect at the visit.


READ STORIES OR WATCH VIDEOS

Another way to help your child visualize the visit is to read story books or watch videos that will help your child understand what to expect. You can find many story books, including some that feature their favorite characters, such as Elmo Visits the Dentist by P.J. Shaw. Watching their favorite character first may help to lessen their anxiety about the unknown and put them at ease as they see what to expect.

BE POSITIVE!

Please remember to only speak positively about visiting the dentist with your child. Perhaps you have had a painful experience or do not look forward to your dental visits. Please do not share those hesitant feelings with your child as this will only add to their hesitations. Help your child to look forward to their appointment by sharing positive points about the dentist. Also, avoid using trigger words such as “hurt” or “painful”. Even making the statement, “It won’t hurt.” can cause a child to begin to associate a dental visit with pain.


CONSIDER CAREFULLY YOUR SCHEDULE

When bringing infants and toddlers to the dentist's office, schedule the appointment for an earlier time in the day. Morning or after a nap and meal are usually the best times to schedule the appointment. Choose a time of day when you know your child is generally happy or content may help to keep tantrums and tears at bay. 


Make sure to arrive early to the appointment to allow your child time to explore the office and waiting room. A relaxed introduction will help them to become comfortable in the new environment and to feel more at ease.


CONSIDER THE WAITING ROOM

If your toddler prefers the comfort of a favorite toy or blanket, please bring the item to the appointment. Bring a favorite song to play or a book to read while you are waiting. Taking the time to think through what home items will help them feel relaxed and comfortable may make a huge difference in a successful trip to the dentist.


PREPARE FOR FOLLOW-UP VISITS

Help your child prepare for their next visit to our Greater Houston Pediatric dental office by discussing their experience and reminding them of all the positive things that happened. Highlight the interesting things they learned or the friendly people they met. Taking time to talk about a few happy moments of the experience can positively reinforce the good visit and help your child to remember these moments next time.

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