How to prepare children for their first dental visit?

12 Aug 2022 | Oral Health

Le periodic visits to the dentist are also crucial for Boys and girls from about 3 years of age; these appointments (usually semiannual or annual, depending on the specific case) serve to Check that teeth are growing properly and to prevent (or treat) childhood tooth decay, an increasingly common phenomenon among toddlers.

However, it is quite normal for the Children are intimidated by a visit to the dentist, especially if it is the first one; being able to experience the visit calmly, however, is crucial, not only because in order to visit the baby or child, the dentist needs his or her cooperation, but also because first contact with the dentist plays a key role with the relationship the baby or child will have with the dentist in the future as well.

A first visit that results in a'quiet, playful and relaxed experience will make the little one confident about the dentist; a bad experience, on the other hand, may cause fear and aversion to going to regular visits, even once he or she grows up.

How to prepare babies and toddlers for their first visit to the dentist?

✔️ Setting the appointment in a period of calm, which does not coincide with other medical appointments or stressful events (moving, changing schools, etc.).

✔️ Allowing the baby or child to Go to the studio with your favorite game or dress

✔️ If either parent is afraid of the dentist, it should be the other who accompanies him to do not convey anxiety to him

✔️ Notify the child a couple of days before the visit Explaining what will happen and describing the dentist as a friendly person

✔️ Do not use words with negative connotations (blood, syringe, pain, drill, etc.).

✔️ Don't tell him not to cry or be brave: it is normal for little ones to feel afraid and it is right for them to show it; the pediatric dentist (pedodontist) knows perfectly well how to calm them down and put them at ease!

[Medical Director: Dr. Mauro Savio, Member of the Dentists Register Provincial Order of Surgeons and Dentists of Milan n. 4168].

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