5 Tips for Taking Your son or daughter to HisHer First Dental Appointment

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Did you know poor dentist hilliard could affect your child’s speech development, nutrition and also self-image? Even though American Dental Association recommends your child’s first dental appointment coincide with his/her first tooth, research suggests that only 10 percent of 1-year-olds and 23 percent of 2-year-olds attended a preventive dental visit in the past year. Making bi-annual dental check-ups a part of your child’s regular health routine is essential for the right start to healthy oral care. Following these 5 tips can ensure a smooth initial visit and help pave the way for easy future check-ups: 1. Try to schedule a morning appointment if at all possible. Children are more awake, alert, and rested each day. Introducing a brand new situation to a spent child is a recipe for failure. Many pediatricians agree that small children are in their finest around 8: 00 AM. 2. Use positive words to explain the dentist. Whether your own personal predisposition is positive or negative, it’s important never to speak poorly or use unconstructive terminology about visiting the dentist. Communicate statements like, “the dentist is a friendly doctor who helps us. ” This may make certain your son or daughter understands the dentist is a trusted grown-up in whose care he is able to feel secure. 3. Ensure that your dentist has experience with children and can treat your son or daughter in a firm, yet gentle manner. Through the examination, a child-friendly dentist can employ different processes to help your son or daughter feel more comfortable: sharing the examining chair with a parent; using child friendly jargon for dental instruments like, “teeth tickler” or clear to see instructions such as, “kiss the straw”. 4. Brush your child’s teeth 2-3 times daily to get used to having his/her teeth cleaned. The little one used to teeth brushing (with the assistance of Mom or Dad) will feel more comfortable and accommodating throughout the examination process. Consider other ways to make teeth brushing fun for your child like insisting he or she brush through the first stanza of his/her favorite song. 5. Go to the dentist early–The American Dental Association recommends your child’s first visit by age 1. Your child should generally see a dentist when that he gets his first tooth, or by age one at the latest — “First visit by first birthday” is an excellent rule of thumb, based on both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. A successful first dental appointment can be quite a positive and empowering experience for both you along with your child that can result in a very long time of excellent oral hygiene and healthy smiles.