Going to the dentist can be intimidating, especially for little kids! Most adults don’t love having their regular dental checkups, and kids are no different. Fortunately, we take pride in our ability to provide the best care possible for our youngest clients.

Building confidence in visiting the dentist starts at home. We do our best to make your children feel comfortable in our care, but there are a few steps you can take to help make the dental checkup go smoothly.

Begin Dental Care Early On

During infancy, dental hygiene should become a part of your child’s regular routine. Experts recommend using a clean, warm washcloth to gently wipe the child’s gums after every feeding. Regular cleaning of an infant’s mouth can also prevent thrush—a win-win!

When your child gets a little older, a toothbrush and floss can be introduced. A daily routine of brushing twice and flossing gets youngsters accustomed to caring for their teeth. The goal here is to care for oral hygiene from day one and create healthy habits along the way.

If you haven’t already gotten into the habit of a dental care routine for your child, now is a great time to start.

Tell Kids What to Expect

No matter how small your children are, you can talk to them about what to expect at the dentist’s office. Let them know that a dentist—someone who makes sure teeth are healthy—is going to check the inside of their mouth.

You can also explain to your children, in the most developmentally appropriate way you can, the benefits of keeping your teeth healthy. For example, healthy teeth are needed to chew our food. How can we eat chicken nuggets if we don’t have any teeth to chew them up with?

Although it can be challenging, it is likely not a good idea to surprise kids with a visit to the dentist. Having a conversation before the appointment and after the visit may help a child through his or her emotions. Be open about your feelings about going to the dentist and ensure children that dentists are there to help take care of their teeth.

Be Patient During the Appointment

Even after you’ve had a conversation about the dental appointment and your child appears to be calm, cool and collected, things may change once you enter the dentist’s office. As frustrating as it can be—it’s OK (and completely normal)!

Be patient with your kids, be empathetic of their feelings and reassure them right after the appointment.

Is your child ready to begin his or her dental hygiene journey? Contact us today for compassionate, kid-friendly dental service!