Preparing Your Three-Year-Old for a Pediatric Dentistry Visit

Pediatric dentistry appointments are necessary as soon as a child begins to develop their baby teeth. Baby teeth typically erupt around six months of age, but this may vary depending on genetics, and overall health. Generally speaking, teeth will start to show no later than eighteen months. The American Academy Of Pediatric Dentistry and American Academy Of Pediatricians recommend the first dental visit by twelve months. These visits will include a gentle examination and a quick manual teeth cleaning. While the appointments are quick and simple, some parents may feel uneasy about their child's first appointment. Outlined below are a few tips that parents can utilize when preparing children for their first pediatric dentistry visit.

Tips for preparing a three-year-old child for their first dentist appointment

1. Visit the pediatric dentistry office beforehand

The best way to prepare a child for their first pediatric dentistry visit is to simply take them to the practice beforehand. Children adapt well when they are comfortable. Meeting the dentist and the staff prior to the first appointment can help both parents and children feel more comfortable during the first appointment. It can be helpful to introduce a child to the dental office before the appointment so that when it is time to return for their first pediatric dentistry appointment, they are familiar with the setting and know what to expect.

2. Explain the steps

A simple way to prepare a three-year-old for their first pediatric dentistry visit is to explain the steps of the appointment. Typically, the first appointment will be very generalized with only a quick examination and a gentle hand-held toothbrush cleaning.. We will go over the child's diet and what to expect in terms of eruption sequence . Because of the ease of the procedure, it should be fairly easy for parents to explain the process beforehand.

3. Address concerns, fears and anxieties

There will likely be concerns about a first-time pediatric dentistry visit, which is completely normal. Children often fear the unknown; when a child has never had a dental appointment before, it is an unknown. Addressing these concerns and going over fears and anxieties prior to the first visit can be helpful. Talking about their concerns can give children a chance to be open and parents the opportunity to combat concerns and offer reassurance.

4. Take them to an adult appointment

Taking children to an adult dental appointment can be a good way to prepare them for their upcoming pediatric dentistry visit. The adult appointment will show the child that there is nothing to be afraid of. Demonstrations can be done so that the child knows what to expect from their appointment.

Find out more today

When looking for further tips on preparing children for their first pediatric dentistry visit, it can be helpful to simply reach out to a dental professional. We can address any outstanding questions or concerns that you may have. Additionally, a meet and greet can be scheduled to help ease anxieties among both parents and children. Get in touch today.

Request an appointment here: https://www.pediatricdentistsuffolk.com or call Fun Park Pediatric Dentistry at (757) 767-2767 for an appointment in our Suffolk office.