Tips on How to Prepare Your Child for the Dentist

You know that regular visits to the dentist are part of overall good health, and you want to help your child develop habits that will lead to excellent long-term health. Happily, it’s not terribly difficult to make going to the dentist no big deal for your kid! 

At Arya Dental, Dr. Saeed Mokhayeri and Dr. Hengameh Safarcherati and their staff want to do everything they can to help your child learn of coming to the dentist as a positive, and even fun, experience. To do that, we’re sharing our best tips to help you prepare your child for their appointment at our office. 

Practice at home

When oral care is part of your child’s daily routine from their infant years, it soon becomes no more worrisome than a bath. For infants, you can gently wipe the gums with a wet, soft cloth after they nurse. This helps them get used to cleaning their mouth after eating, which is a fantastic habit. 

As your child gets older, offer them water after each meal. Drinking water after eating can help keep their gums clean.

The first tooth is your signal to schedule an appointment with us! 

Your child’s first visit

You know your child, so you know their best time of day. Try to schedule their first visit for that time so that they aren’t tired or cranky. When they’re relaxed but alert, chances are better they will enjoy the visit.

You may also want to show your child books where children go to the dentist and enjoy it. You can also play dentist by pretending to examine their tooth and brushing it. And you can let your child look at your teeth. 

When you arrive, our staff will behave in a low-key way. We help your child sit in the chair, or if you and your child prefer, you may hold them. This first visit can set the stage for a lifetime of good oral hygiene habits. 

Build a routine

As your child gets more teeth, oral hygiene becomes more important. Building a routine around brushing is a good way to help them create the habit.

If you brush at the same time, you’re modeling both the habit and good technique. Let your child brush their own teeth, but double check to make sure they did a good job. Following this routine until your child is about 8 years old builds a solid foundation. 

Have fun! 

It’s normal for children to resist brushing at some point, but you can make it fun, and hopefully the resistance will be mild. 

Choose a fun toothbrushing song that is about two minutes long, and play it while you brush. 

Let your child choose their own toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. You can preselect a few to make the decision easier. 

Make a chart with stickers, and mark the date when your child should get a new toothbrush. 

Make the appointment

If your child is ready for their first visit, or you’re looking for a new dentist, schedule an appointment today. Our staff is thrilled to help your family build a habit of good oral hygiene.