Health

A Child’s First Visit

It will come as no surprise that children can often be rather frightened of visiting the dentist; especially when it comes to their very first visit.

Most professionals (such as dentists in Palm Beach) recommend parents take their child/children for their first dental visit as soon as possible; preferably as their milk teeth begin to come through (a suggested age to start taking them is around four years old). Keeping a regular schedule of dentist visits will help children to slowly get used to the idea of having their teeth checked by a dentist.

Whatever dental jobs may need to be carried out (for example: a simple checkup), it is important to prepare the child for their early visits. It may be an idea to try and make the experience as normal as possible, and perhaps even make it fun.

Try to reassure them that dentists are professionals – who have completed highly skilled dental courses – whose job it is to look after people’s teeth. It may sound odd at first, but the image of the sadistic dentist who inflicts pain on their patient’s is something that people have in-mind right into adulthood.

If the child is very young and likely to become upset it may be an idea to bring a comfort item along to the dentists; such as their favourite toy or book to read them.

One could also explain in basic terms what the dentist will likely do while examining them. Turning this into a role-playing exercise will help the child to understand what will happen during their visit.

A parent knows their child better than anyone else, so it is always best to find ways to calm them down and prepare them for their first visit. And remember: children can sense fear. If they know you are nervous, they will also be nervous!