Tips on How to Prepare Your Child for the Dentist

Tips on How to Prepare Your Child for the Dentist

You know that regular visits to the dentist are part of overall good health, and you want to help your child develop habits that will lead to excellent long-term health. Happily, it’s not terribly difficult to make going to the dentist no big deal for your kid! 

At Arya DentalDr. Saeed Mokhayeri and Dr. Hengameh Safarcherati and their staff want to do everything they can to help your child learn of coming to the dentist as a positive, and even fun, experience. To do that, we’re sharing our best tips to help you prepare your child for their appointment at our office. 

Practice at home

When oral care is part of your child’s daily routine from their infant years, it soon becomes no more worrisome than a bath. For infants, you can gently wipe the gums with a wet, soft cloth after they nurse. This helps them get used to cleaning their mouth after eating, which is a fantastic habit. 

As your child gets older, offer them water after each meal. Drinking water after eating can help keep their gums clean.

The first tooth is your signal to schedule an appointment with us! 

Your child’s first visit

You know your child, so you know their best time of day. Try to schedule their first visit for that time so that they aren’t tired or cranky. When they’re relaxed but alert, chances are better they will enjoy the visit.

You may also want to show your child books where children go to the dentist and enjoy it. You can also play dentist by pretending to examine their tooth and brushing it. And you can let your child look at your teeth. 

When you arrive, our staff will behave in a low-key way. We help your child sit in the chair, or if you and your child prefer, you may hold them. This first visit can set the stage for a lifetime of good oral hygiene habits

Build a routine

As your child gets more teeth, oral hygiene becomes more important. Building a routine around brushing is a good way to help them create the habit.

If you brush at the same time, you’re modeling both the habit and good technique. Let your child brush their own teeth, but double check to make sure they did a good job. Following this routine until your child is about 8 years old builds a solid foundation. 

Have fun! 

It’s normal for children to resist brushing at some point, but you can make it fun, and hopefully the resistance will be mild. 

Choose a fun toothbrushing song that is about two minutes long, and play it while you brush. 

Let your child choose their own toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. You can preselect a few to make the decision easier. 

Make a chart with stickers, and mark the date when your child should get a new toothbrush. 

Make the appointment

If your child is ready for their first visit, or you’re looking for a new dentist, schedule an appointment today. Our staff is thrilled to help your family build a habit of good oral hygiene. 

You Might Also Enjoy...

How Can I Prepare My Child for Their First Dental Visit?

How can you prepare your child for their first dental visit and prevent a lifetime of dental anxiety? This is a worthy goal, as many people have a phobia of visiting the dentist. Here are some great tips to start a lifetime of good dental care.

Why Do Teeth Lose Their Whiteness?

Despite your brushing efforts, your teeth can still lose their whiteness over time. Home care alone won’t remove stubborn stains, even with over-the-counter whitening products. You need professional dental whitening to make a difference.

What Your Chronic Bad Breath Is Trying to Tell You

How often do you catch yourself breathing against the palm of your hand to see if you have bad breath? Or maybe you skip that step and go straight for a piece of gum or some breath spray. Here’s what you need to know about chronic bad breath.