Oral health is a subsidiary to general health and healthy self. One of the good ways to provide your child with the best care is by giving importance to their dental care from the very start. Doing so promotes the overall health and quality of the child’s life.
Preparing your kid for his or her first visit to the Scottsdale Pediatric Dentist is a meaningful action that has to be done to provide the groundwork for lifelong good oral health habits, ensure the earliest concern is addressed, and, finally, secure enough experience for the kid and his mother or father.
Use the following tips to prepare your child adequately:
Start early
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises parents to take their kids for their first check-up by their first birthday or after six months of emerging their first molar. The dental office visit scheduled early in your child’s growth gives them the knowledge and relationship with their dentist early enough.
Remind them that the primary goal of our dental office is to provide them with the best care to improve their oral health. Bring out the joy and simplicity of visiting the dentist to get the white smile you want and eventually eliminate toothache.
Choose the right dentist
Picking the right pediatric dentist should be your priority, as it could impact your child’s attitude toward dentists. The best pediatric dentists are specially trained in the psychology of children, child psychology techniques, and professional behavior management, making them very competent in handling the different needs of young patients.
It would be significant to ask if the services and treatments offered for children include preventive care, restorative treatments, and emergency services. Ensure that the dentist adopts interactive methodologies and uses kid-friendly instruments to have a peaceful experience for your kid.
Explain what will happen
Simple picture books, videos, or online resources prepared for younger children unfamiliar with the dentist’s office may also be used to explain what happens there. With impressive visuals, it becomes more relatable and not someone who is far from your entire life.
Many children’s books and videos can provide the kids with information on what it is to remain calm and attentive during a dental visit fascinatingly and playfully. A child will feel more secure seeing you, a role model, calmly reading or watching multimedia with them.
Stay calm and positive
Children learn to what extent their parents’ usual emotions are. So, parents must always remain calm and optimistic in preparation for the visit.
Do not introduce words that may scare or create anxiety, like “shot” or “pain”. Instead, use positive words to describe the visit to a dentist, particularly stressing the significance of keeping teeth clean and how the dentist will maintain their teeth health.
Tell your kid you are there for him and will stay with him for the whole dental visit. Express verbal support and positive affirmations of their courage, and give them the pledge that everything will soon be fine.
Emphasize to your child that feeling anxious or fearful about a dental visit is normal. The most important is to support them and let them know they will be okay and that those procedures are better than they seem.
Offer rewards
Providing rewards is a great way to motivate children, and it may be the factor that will shift the child’s perception of the pediatric dentist clinic from unfavorable to favorable. Ahead of the dental appointment, make sure to explain a nice present for being good. Make the reward choices clear and outline the behavior, showing maximum attention and curiosity upfront. These behaviors should include sitting still in the dental chair, following the dentist’s instructions, or staying calm during the session.
Install a point or trophy system where your kid can earn points or stickers after exhibiting good behavior during the visit with a dentist. Later, they can redeem their points or stickers for an award after gaining a specific number.
At least for the first dental visit, remember to put extra effort into commending your child’s good behavior just because this positive act may lead to a future dental visit with a special treat or activity afterward and not complete the visit with melodramatic yells or a crying fit.