Taking care of the health of our children is one of the many responsibilities we have as parents. We must take them to their periodic check-ups with the pediatrician, in order to prevent and treat diseases or possible health complications.
Something that we must also do since we were little, is to take them to the dentist, so that from an early age they learn hygiene habits and take care of their oral health. Going to a consultation for the first time can be something that causes them fear for being something unknown, so To prevent children from being afraid of going to the dentist and creating a positive relationship, we share nine tips to prepare children for their first visit.
Pediatric dentist: the first children's dentist
We recently shared with you about the recommended age for our children to go to the dentist for the first time. Ideally, your first visit will be at the age of one and that You go to the dentist specializing in young children: the pediatric dentist.
He will take care of check the oral health of the little ones, show parents the correct care of baby teeth, as well as detect possible problems that may occur at an early age, such as bottle decay or a problem with their bite.
It is recommended to go to the pediatric dentist, since they are trained to care for children since they are babies, in addition to they usually have a friendlier space to receive their little patients and so you can get used to children to take care of their teeth.
How to prepare children for their first visit to the dentist
If you are worried that your child is afraid to go to the dentist or you simply want to help him prepare for his first visit, we share the following tips:
Find a dentist specializing in children
The first thing we should do is find a pediatric dentist or dentist specializing in children. This does not mean that your lifelong dentist cannot care for your child, but by taking him with someone specialized, you not only make sure that he is better prepared and with the necessary training to care for your children, but that many of them they have a warmer and friendlier environment in their office, besides having the necessary experience to give a kind treatment to the children.
Tell you about the importance of caring for your teeth
Children are much smarter than we think, and when we explain things calmly and simple words, they understand and understand. Before taking them for the first time with the pediatric dentist, we must explain why it is important to take care of your teeth.
A friend who is a dentist, shared a simple way to explain to Lucia so that she understood: we must take care of our teeth and wash them after eating, so we avoid eating food in them, because otherwise they may appear "worms" (bacteria ) that damage our teeth.
Explain that the dentist is your friend
In addition to telling them why we should take care of our teeth, we also have to tell them about the dentist, explaining who he is, what his name is and what he does, so that they become familiar with him. It is important to mention that the dentist or pediatric dentist is here to help you take care of your teeth.
Support you with videos or songs
Surely you have noticed that children's programs like Dr. Toys help children lose their fear of doctors and become familiar with them. The children they learn many things through the game and the songs, so you can support with videos of YouTube songs or programs like Daniel Tigre, which include chapters in which your favorite characters go to the dentist.
Avoid commenting on negative experiences of your own
It is important that children understand that going to the dentist is something positive and very necessary for their health. Therefore, and in case you had a bad experience, avoid making negative comments about visits to the dentist, because you could create a bad impression or instill fear.
Don't fall for the "nothing will happen / hurt"
It is true that you have to motivate children to feel calm about going to the dentist, but it is important do not fall into exaggerations or statements that may create false expectations as the famous "does not hurt" or "nothing will happen."
Accompany you at all times
When it is time for your first visit to the dentist, it is very important that we do not leave your side. Remember that you are in an unknown environment and with a strange person. Accompany him and assure him that you will be with him for whatever he needs.
Help you make it a good experience overall
Children are very perceptive and realize when something worries or overwhelms us adults. Focus on making the first visit to the dentist a good experience, highlighting the positive things and trying to minimize the negative, explaining why they happened.
Do not threaten to take you to the dentist
Finally, never threaten to take him to the dentist. In doing so, you are implicitly saying that it is something negative or a punishment and should not be so. It is important to create a positive relationship, So using threats when they do something wrong or eat candy is not a good idea.
Encouraging the adoption of good habits as children is something that will avoid problems in adult life, so Prepare it for your first visit with the dentist It will help to start a positive relationship with him.
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In Babies and more | Five keys to help your children take care of their teeth, First visit to the dentist: pediatric dentists recommend that it be at the end of the year
