Experiences shape our future.

It’s no secret that our experiences shape our lives, and that is true even for the littlest members of our families. So, of course you want your child to have good experiences even while they’re young! With the prevalence of dental anxiety, this is especially true for pediatric dentistry.

In the same way, creating healthy habits can help build healthy dental habits. If a child is completely used to the idea of going to the dentist, it can make a world of difference with problems such as dental anxiety. But more on that in a moment.

If you are ready to create positive associations between your children and their oral health, we are ready with tips to help you make great dental experiences for your children and their teeth.

Start early.

If you want to avoid dental anxiety in your children, one of the best ways is to start the dental appointments early. How early, you may ask? We love to see babies by the time they turn one. Sure, there aren’t many teeth at that age, but it doesn’t make the appointment any less important. At that first appointment, we are able to answer any questions or concerns you might have. It also allows us to watch the growth of their adorable smile, both to make sure it’s on the right track, and to eliminate any issues before they have a chance to form.

Remember, your child’s dentist should be a part of a team with you! The biggest thing is, this gives your little one time to adjust to the new environment. By the time they are a toddler, a trip to the dentist is a completely normal event—not scary at all.

If it’s getting close to the time to bring your little one in for their first appointment, we have you covered with a handy guide on how to plan that first visit!

Choose a kid-friendly dentist.

When selecting the perfect dentist for your children, it’s best to start by looking into pediatric dentists. Not only does this ensure that you are choosing a provider that specializes in treating children, but it also increases the chances that the environment itself will be child-friendly. For children, a boring white room with chairs isn’t inviting. In all reality, it’s the exact opposite. It’s important for kids to be in a place that feels like it was made for them.

Prepare your child.

Whether your child is one, five, or seven, going to a dentist for the first time can be a little nerve-racking. After all, it’s a new environment, new sensations, and new people. Thankfully, there are ways you can help prepare your child for their first appointment, no matter their age.

Reading books is one of the most effective ways to teach your kiddo about the dentist. With a little searching, you can likely find a story about one of their favorite characters going to the dentist. If you want, go to the library and ask the librarian for suggestions—you’re bound to come home with an entire armload of books just for this purpose. Snuggle up with your little one before bed and get to reading!

Not every child enjoys a good book. For some, watching videos online can be the exposure they need before going to their first appointment. There are zillions of these out there, many of them just for children with the bright colors and animated characters. So don’t be afraid of the screen time here—it’s time to let them know that the dentist is perfectly safe.

Unfortunately, dental anxiety is a huge problem among adults. This can easily transfer to your little ones with just the language you use. Remember, those little ears are always listening. Whenever you’re talking about the dentist, do your best to use positive language. This makes more of a difference than you might realize!

Make dental care fun!

It’s pretty normal for kids not to want to sit still. This can make brushing their teeth twice a day a bit of a chore. Do whatever you can to make this daily routine fun! This can be as simple as letting your kiddo pick their own age-appropriate toothbrush, or playing their favorite songs! If you want, you can even start making up stories with them. Each time you settle down to brush or floss their teeth, it’s time to add another chapter to the story! Psst, don’t forget to act it out! The more embarrassing, the better.

If these ideas don’t work, don’t be afraid to implement a reward system for good dental hygiene. Not only does this make it harder to forget, but it also makes it significantly more enjoyable. Change up those rewards to fit your own goals and budget! The rewards don’t have to be expensive to be effective.

Stay calm and positive.

Though this can be difficult if you have dental anxiety, remaining calm and positive makes a difference. If you feel yourself getting nervous around your little one’s appointment, it’s time to pull out all the grounding techniques to keep calm. Your child can sense your mood more than you might realize, and staying calm, both leading up to your child’s visit as well as during the visit itself, can make or break your little one’s experience.

Positive associations are everything.

Creating a positive association with the dentist can help your children have healthy teeth throughout their entire life. They’re more likely to go to the dentist into adulthood and take care of any problems before they get out of hand! So, if you’re ready to get your little one in for their first dental appointment, jump on over and get it scheduled, then try out some of these tactics! We look forward to helping keep their smile clean and shining.