Preparing Your Child for a Trip to the Dentist

The first trip to the dentist’s office usually dictates how a child will see future visits. As such, you will want to do everything you can to make the experience as pleasant as possible. With that in mind, here are several tips to help you prepare your child for a trip to the dentist:

Meet and Greet

If your child is uneasy about meeting new people, you may want to schedule a tour of the dentist’s office. This allows your child to get used to his or her dentist and helps build trust between them. As a result, your child is less likely to be nervous about future visits.

Schedule Appointments Wisely

You’ll want to set an appointment with the dentist after your child is well rested and he or she won’t be missing a favorite TV show. This reduces the chances of bringing in an agitated patient, helping make the appointment go as smoothly as possible.

Security Blankets

Allow your child to bring his or her security blanket or a favorite toy to the dental office. This keeps his or her mind off of the visit as well as lowers stress and anxiety levels. As long as the object won’t get in the way of the initial checkup, let your child bring the blanket or toy with her to the dentist’s chair.