The first dental visit is a milestone moment in your child’s life and this will be the beginning of a lifetime of oral health care. There can be a little apprehension surrounding the new experience but there are some things you can do to prepare your child.
You have to start early
When it comes to laying the groundwork towards creating a positive attitude towards visits to the childrens dental Cleveland. You can explain about dentists and oral health t your child early on and you have to use age-appropriate language so that they have a good understanding of what you are saying. You have to stress the importance of dental care and what they can expect during a dental visit. You can emphasise the positive parts of the experience such as how the dentist will help them keep their teeth healthy and strong. Take some time to research the children’s dentists in your local area. Choosing the right dentist for your child will make a world of difference as they will be able to put your child at ease and create a positive impression around oral health for the rest of their lives. You need to check whether they have a child-friendly environment at the dental clinic. You can read reviews and even schedule a pre-visit to the office so that you can meet the staff and get to know everyone. This will be a crucial step in alleviating any anxiety that your child may have.
You can help the child become more familiar with the experience by engaging in role playing.
There can be a dental office set up at home with toys and you can play dentist with your child. Your child can be the dentist or the patient and both of you can take turns examining each other’s teeth using a toothbrush and a mirror. This will be a great opportunity to teach your child about what they can expect during a dental visit. Some of the activities that can be included into this role playing game are taking X-rays, cleaning teeth and counting teeth. This will make dental visits fun as well because they know what to expect. Reading books about dental visits is also a good idea. This can be done before the role playing game so that your child has a foundation.
You can visit the library together and choose a book about dental visits.
Look for books that come with colourful illustrations and characters that your child can relate to. This will help normalise the dental clinic experience and it will be a great opportunity to answer any questions your child has about the whole thing. Practising good oral hygiene at home is very important and brushing as well as flossing has to be a regular part of your child’s routine. You can use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your child’s teeth twice a day. You can teach them how to floss properly as well.