Now, Johnny, we’re going to the dentist’s office today, and there’s NOTHING to be afraid of. That’s probably one of the worst things a parent can say as they head off to the dentist’s office for Johnny’s first visit. We all learn things as children and develop our opinions based on good and bad experiences. Maybe you had a bad experience. But if we approach the subject of dental visits in a positive way, our children can have very positive experiences at the dentist’s office. After all, things have changed quite a bit since we were their age, and most of the things we found so frightening are no longer there. As most dentists will tell you, a child’s first visit to the dentist should be between the ages of three and four. The first visit can set the stage for the child’s overall opinion about the dentist, so visiting without an exam, and poking and prodding may be a good idea. Dentists who see young children are usually more than happy to make the first visit a tour and get acquainted meeting. During the initial visit, the child can learn about the office, see how the chair moves up and down (just like a ride at Disney World!), and hear about taking care of their teeth. Meeting the dentist and hygienists is important, too. The child will see that they are friendly and are there to help him or her.

Here are some things you can tell your child about their visit to the dentist:

When you’re ready for the real appointment (or meeting) with the dentist, you’ll actually be able to sit in the chair and see how it lays back, just like a recliner in their living room. The hygienist will put a big napkin on, so that they don’t spill anything on your shirt. They will turn a big light on and shine it on your mouth so that they can see your teeth better. If it’s too bright, they can give you some special sunglasses. The hygienist will look at your teeth first, just to see how many you have. They will also look at your gums (the red part that holds your teeth in your mouth). They might use little tools to help them see better, and the tools might make a little scratchy sound. Next, they might use another special tool to polish your teeth. There are some yummy flavors to pick from bubble gum, cherry, grape, and orange are just a few. You get to pick whatever flavor you want!