What Can I Do to Prepare My Child for Their Dental Visit?

If you’ve followed the American Dental Association’s (ADA) guidelines about when your child’s first visit to the dentist should be — about six months after their first tooth erupts, or no later than one year old — and how often they should come in for a check-up (twice a year), then your child should already be familiar with the dentist and the dental office.

Still, some children find the dentist’s office scary and need reassurance each time they come in. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make them more comfortable about going to the dentist and practicing good oral care at home.

At Fluegge Family Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Fluegge and our team treat family members from the time they get their first tooth through their golden years. We want each patient to feel comfortable at their appointments. Here are some strategies we suggest for preparing your child for dental visits.

How can I prepare my child for their dental visit?

Here are some of the many different ways you can help your child prepare for their dental visit.

Tell them it’s okay to be a little nervous

Share with your child that even grownups are sometimes nervous about going to the dentist, and that’s okay. Tell them that going to their visit is the big girl/boy thing to do and think of the dentist as a friend who wants to ensure they’re as healthy as possible. 

Discuss the benefits of good oral care

A clean smile is not only attractive, but it’s also healthy. Brushing their teeth is one way to make sure they don’t have problems that might hurt, like having a cavity filled; another is to go to the dentist so he can check that everything’s okay. Decide on a question your child can ask the dentist about oral health or what dentists do to make them feel invested in the visit.

Give your child some control

Another way to make your child feel invested in the visit is to give them control over something since most things will be beyond their control. Maybe they can choose a fun outfit to wear or a favorite toy to bring. Even small choices give them a measure of agency and can reduce their fear.

Stay calm, and answer questions truthfully

If you’re anxious, your child will pick up on that, and it will only worsen the situation. Stay calm, especially if your child isn’t, so you lead by example.

Be ready to answer whatever questions your child may have about the dentist visit and be truthful so they learn to accept whatever happens. It’s also okay to tell your child if you don’t know something, but make it a point to ask the dentist when you get to the office; that way, the child learns the dentist can be trusted, too.

Be present during the visit

Having a parent in the room while they’re in the chair can comfort a child who’s scared of the dentist because you’re a known and trusted person. If it turns out your child has a cavity that needs to be filled, stress that the dentist will give them something so they won’t feel the pain, and ask if it would be okay if you held their hand during the procedure.

Plan something fun afterward

Your child deserves a reward for going to the dentist and not making a fuss. Ask them what they would like to do afterward, but make it commensurate with the level of distress. It could be watching a favorite movie or going to the zoo. Remind them when you arrive at the office that the reward will be waiting for them once they’re done.

Want more tips for preparing your child for their dental visit? Need to schedule an appointment? Call Fluegge Family Dentistry at 509-888-3384 or book online today.