Three Tips You Need to Know to Make Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist a Success

You’ve heard plenty of horror stories about teething and all the discomfort baby will feel during the tooth growing process.  You’ve been dreading this but the time has finally come.

Your child has finally got their first tooth. That means it’s time to pay a little visit to the dentist.

While a child’s first visit to the dentist can be more stressful for the parent than the child, our pediatric dentists here at Little Heroes Dentistry want to ease your anxieties by sharing a few tips you can take to make the whole experience much more relaxed for both you and your child.

Before we start, however…

When should we first send our little heroes to the pediatric dentist?

If you are a new parent (or just need a little refresher), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that you should take your child to the dentist when their first tooth comes out and no later than their first birthday.

Of course, life doesn’t come with a handbook, so if you missed this opportunity, no worries. Your child is still welcome to visit Little Heroes Dentistry for an oral exam and cleaning.

Your child’s 1st dentist visit should happen when they get their 1st tooth and no later than their 1st bday. #BabysFirstTooth #LittleHeroesDentistry Click To Tweet

1. First thing’s first: keep calm!

When Mommy and Daddy stay calm, so does baby. Kids can pick up on attitudes and energy that their parents exhibit, and if you’re worried, then they’ll think that maybe they should be too.

Instead, if we treat a visit to the dentist like the exciting adventure that it is, your child will be happy to tag along while making new friends and learning the basics of oral health.

One thing that does help—even if your child is still a baby or toddler—is to talk to them about all the good things a dentist does for their teeth. Let them know that their dentist will help them count their teeth and that they’ll be able to show off how good of a job they have been doing when it comes to brushing.

And, of course, a family is a team, so have Dad and older brother or sister talk about how cool it is to visit a pediatric dentist by sharing their own experiences. Before you know it, the trip will be done, and you all can finally relax.

2. Practice, practice, practice!

Getting your child started early with good oral health care routines is the best way to get them ready for their first dentist visit. If they are already accustomed to taking care of their teeth, and understand that the dentist is a friend who will help them avoid cavities, going to the dentist will be no big deal.

To start practicing, begin by brushing their teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush and water when their first tooth appears. At this moment, it is a good idea to let them know that their pediatric dentist wants to help them keep their teeth nice and strong.

Also, your children are very impressionable and if they see you taking care of your teeth, they’ll follow suit. If your kids are a little bit older, one of the best thing you can do is to brush your teeth with them. You can even make it a little fun competition of “Who can brush their teeth for two minutes?”

All in all, establishing healthy dental routines with the idea that the dentist is there to help them will make their first visit less scary, and you less stressed.

A soft bristle toothbrush and a little water can start a lifetime of proper oral health #GoodHabitsStartYoung Click To Tweet

3. Find a pediatric dentist you trust.

While utilizing all of the above can relieve stress and help your child get excited, choosing the wrong dentistry can undo all of your hard work.

You need to choose a pediatric dentistry that you trust and feel comfortable with. Consider this when selecting a dentistry for your child:

1. Location – Is it conveniently located? At Little Heroes Dentistry, we have convenient locations all throughout South Texas in cities like Mission, Laredo, and San Juan. You won’t have to travel far to get top quality dental care.
2. Staff – Are the staff, dental hygienists, and dentists friendly? Are they experienced in pediatric dental techniques? Do they know how to comfort children that may be afraid during a visit? At Little Heroes Dentistry, our mission is to provide top-notch dental care while improving oral health in a compassionate, efficient, loving, and fun manner.
3. Environment – Is the environment geared toward helping children become familiar and comfortable?
4. Scheduling – Do they have flexible appointments? We understand that being a parent is a 24/7 job on top of working for a living, so contact us here for more information on how we can schedule a time that is right for you.

Baby’s first trip to the dentist can be an awesome experience and by following these tips, your child’s first visit will be a success.

To schedule your child’s first appointment, contact us at any of our Rio Grande Valley locations today.