5 Ways to Prepare Young Children for a Dental Examvillage-dental.com /5-ways-prepare-young-children-dental-exam/

Your toddler’s first dental exam will be full of new experiences and can seem like a stressful, scary event intheir eyes; but it’s also the perfect opportunity to begin to teach your child good oral hygiene habits andgood associations with the dentist. When making the first appointment decide whether to take yourtoddler to a family dentist or a pediatric dentist.

Pediatric dentists specialize in working with small children and toddlers.

Pediatric dentist have offices and equipment that cater to children. Pediatric dentists also have a soothingbedside manner that will make your toddler feel safe and calm. Once you’ve made the appointment youshould prepare your toddler. Here is a guide on preparing your child for their first dental exam:

Read Kid Friendly Dental Books to Your Child

Books are an easy way to get your toddler used to the idea of going to the dentist and having someonelook in their mouth. When choosing a book make sure to read it first to make sure the book talks aboutdental exams in a positive, gentle way. Books let your toddler know what to expect at the dental exam.Going to the dentist is much less scary when you know what’s going to happen. Here is a list of greatbooks to get you started:

Provide Positive Explanations About What’s Going to Happen at the Dentist

Talk to your toddler about what’s going to happen at the dentist in a positive, easy to understand way. Youdon’t need to tell him or her every detail. Your pediatric dentist will walk your toddler through the detailsstep by step during the exam. You simply tell your child the dentist is going to look at their teeth and cleanthem to keep them healthy. You don’t need to tell your toddler how the dentist will clean their teeth orexplain how going to the dentist treats tooth decay.

It will also help to tell your toddler that everyone in the family goes to the dentist. Tell your toddler abouthow their parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles go to the dentist. If you can, schedule thefamily’s dental exams the day before and bring your toddler so your child will see first-hand that going tothe dentist is a normal part of everyone’s life.

Listen and Answer

Give your child an opportunity to voice their fears. To a toddler, having a strange person poke around theirmouth with instruments is scary. Even adults are scared of dentists so it’s important to listen to your child’sfears and reassure them. If your toddler has misunderstandings about the dentist you can clear those up.Your toddler may also have a lot of questions through curiosity.

Get the Timing Right

The last thing you want is a fussy, cranky toddler at the dental exam. The child will perceive the exam asnegative if they are already irritated from a long day. The calmer your child, the more cooperative they willbe and the more positive the exam will be overall. Schedule the dental exam first thing in the morning orafter your child’s afternoon nap.

Minimize Distractions

Minimize distractions during the exam as much as possible for both you and your child. If you have otherchildren that have their appointments the same day, have them wait in the waiting room with another adult.If you can, schedule their appointments for different days. Focusing on your toddler’s first exam will helpdecrease stress for both you and your child. It’s also helpful to have another adult in the dental exam roomwith you and your child. This gives you the opportunity to discuss dental health issues with the dentist whilethe other adult keeps your baby calm.