Before your child attends their first visit with a Carlsbad pediatric dentist, such as Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry, it is a good idea to take some proactive steps at home to help them prepare for the appointment.

Communication is Key

Depending on the age of the child, your choice of communication will change in order to help them understand the appointment. For example, if your child is still very young, then you can talk with them in simple terms about how the dentist will “count their teeth.”

Older children will need a different type of conversation, especially because as they get older they will become more curious and enquiring about what the dentist is doing in their mouth during the appointment. Have an open conversation with your child and invite them to ask questions, and they will be more likely to feel comfortable at the dental office.

Play Games

Playing games is a great way to help young children become more comfortable with the idea of someone looking at their teeth. One way you can help your child to prepare for their dental appointment is to play role playing games, where you take turns looking in the other person’s mouth. Start out by tipping your head back and invite them to look at your teeth, make sure that you are sitting low enough so that the child can easily look into your mouth. Then, reverse the situation and have them open their mouth.

Gradually, adjust the game so that they keep their mouth open for a longer period of time. Make it fun by counting their teeth, and talking about the number of teeth that you can see in their mouth. Invite them to count your teeth, and make it a fun game to look at the teeth.

Some children might also enjoy other dental activities, such as coloring pictures of teeth. A quick search online will pull up coloring pages of pictures that are related to the dentist, including: smiles, teeth, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc. Find the pictures that your child will enjoy coloring, and then print them out. While the child is coloring, you can talk with them about their upcoming dentist appointment.

Maintain a Good Attitude

One of the biggest factors that impacts a child’s behavior when they visit a Carlsbad pediatric dentist is the parent’s attitude about going to the dentist. If the child hears their parents talking negative about a dental appointment, then the child is more likely to be nervous or scared about their own appointment. So, whenever you are discussing the dentist with your child, make sure that you are using positive language in order to put the dental visit in a good light. Also, remember the fact that children often overhear conversations that their parents have with other adults, so it is important to be careful about your discussions all the time.

Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry can help you find other ways to make your child comfortable when they visit the dentist, call us to learn more: (760) 633-1131