Kids Dentist: Preparing Your Child

After you make that first appointment with a kids dentist it is time to talk to your child about what they are able to experience. You don't want to cause unnecessary tension, but you also don't want to surprise them with something they aren't prepared for. Take the time to help you son or daughter prepare for the experience by talking to them and making sure they feel comfortable.

Explaining Why You Go

The kids dentist will probably tell your child exactly why they need to come in for appointments. However as a parent you are the person whose explanation will hold the most weight. Start out by discussing some of the ways that you keep your teeth healthy. Your kids brush their teeth already and they may even be ready for mouthwash. Explain to them what these things do.

Then you can talk about why he or she needs to go to the kids dentist. Your child probably sees a doctor frequently and you can explain that this is a similar type of appointment. Instead of focusing on the whole body you can explain that this is a professional that specializes on the teeth and mouth.

Explaining What Will Happen

Most children want to know what to expect. Surprises are fun at birthday parties, but not in everyday life. Prepare your child for what is to come. You can tell them about checking in and waiting in the outer room to be called back. Talk about the hygienist and how the process starts out. You can then move on to talking about the kids dentist. Make sure that they know they will be meeting with someone that takes care of children all day long. It could make them feel moer comfortable with the whole situation.

Listening and Answering Questions

After an explanation your child is sure to have questions. They may want to know something specific like the name of the kids dentist they are going to see. They could just want to know whether or not the procedure will hurt. Take your time in answering. Be honest with your child and do the best you can to answer their questions. You can be honest when you don't know the answer to a question. You can also encourage them to ask questions of the professionals at the appointment.

Remember that preparing your child can make the entire experience easier. The very first appointment is critical. You've met people who fear these appointments. You could be one of those people that would rather do anything instead of going to any dentists. This is your opportunity to make sure that your child has an experience that make them feel comfortable.