First visit to the dentist with your child

Sitting in the dentist’s chair for the first time can be a positive experience for your child if you choose the right doctor and the right timing. In addition to the first check-up, the doctor will also inform you about  tooth-friendly nutrition and the  right tooth brushing technique for your child and give you some tips on how to  motivate your child to brush their teeth.

When is the first time to the dentist?

There is actually no fixed time for the first visit to the dentist. In principle, dentists recommend taking the child with you to an appointment from the age of 1.5 years. However, you should not choose an appointment where a complex treatment is due. Most of the time, children cannot understand the situation correctly and are afraid that something will happen to their mum or dad. It is also important that you don’t show any fear yourself in advance. Children sense this and the fear of going to the dentist is passed on in this way. If you have your child with you for one of your examinations, you can show him that everything is safe. Your child can get used to the environment and the dentist may even be able to take a careful look inside your child’s mouth.

If you think everything is fine with your teeth and your child doesn’t have any problems either, you don’t necessarily have to go to the dentist earlier. In any case, pay attention to your child’s teeth, because when the first hole is there, it’s too late! The first visit to the dentist with your child should really be a check-up so that your child leaves the practice free of pain and fear and goes back without any problems. These visits to the dentist should then be made every six months – and regularly.

Find the right dentist for your child

In order to find a suitable dental practice, you can simply ask in your circle of acquaintances. There are certainly already relevant experiences with child-friendly dental practices. The educators in the kindergarten often have good tips ready. Maybe even your dentist is suitable for this? Most dental practices are usually prepared for children. The dentist and his team will do everything to take away your child’s fear. However, if you don’t feel comfortable in the practice, feel free to ask your dentist for a colleague who specializes in pediatric dentistry. There are numerous specialized practices in many larger cities.

Use your child’s curiosity at the dentist

Children are curious and you can use that. A dental practice can also be an exciting place for the little ones. It’s a whole new world to explore. With child-friendly explanations, your child will get to know the treatment process in a relaxed manner. Anyone who has had positive experiences at the dentist as a child will usually retain this attitude as an adult. In this way you create a good basis for the health of your child. Maybe the offspring will come with you when you are lying on the treatment chair. In this way, your child experiences the check-up appointment as something completely natural and gets used to the atmosphere in the practice. It gets to know the unfamiliar surroundings and realizes that the unfamiliar noises don’t mean anything bad. Your child will develop a sense of normalcy. A visit to the dentist is therefore not something special. Over time, they will then trust the dentist and open their mouth more easily.

Prepare your child for the dentist visit

The dentist often finds out that even children who visit a dental practice for the first time are afraid of a treatment or that a child cannot be treated or only with great difficulty. The consequence of this is that a tooth damage that is initially only minor can result in major problems. You can use the following tips to help your child develop a positive attitude towards the dentist over time.

• Go to the dentist early : At the latest when the milk teeth have erupted, i.e. your child is about three years old, you should make an appointment with the dentist for your child.
• Don’t make threats : Never threaten the dentist and avoid statements that your child might take negatively. The sentence: “If you don’t brush your teeth properly, then you have to go to the dentist!” is not very helpful. The dentist thus becomes a bogeyman, which makes it considerably more difficult for your child to deal with the dentist in an informal manner.
• Don’t promise a reward : Your child should take a visit to the dentist for granted. No special reward is required for this, a small recognition is sufficient.
• Don’t make false promises : Don’t promise your child things that the dentist might not be able to keep, and don’t fool your child. You should therefore avoid statements like: “It doesn’t hurt at all” as well as: “You can’t feel the drill after all”.

What to do if the child is afraid of the dentist?

Does your child just not want to open their mouth? Then that’s the way it is. In no case should you force it to do so. Even persuasion does not help in most cases. If your child is afraid, you should take it seriously and address it. Maybe you illustrate the first visit to the dentist with a great children’s book to take away your child’s fear? Role models are always a good help. Older siblings or yourself in the treatment chair can make it easier for your child. If the dentist examines you and you can still smile afterwards, then maybe your child will lose its fear and open its mouth. If not, that’s not too bad. Then just try again another time.