Your Child’s Visit to the Dentist

February is Dental Health Month, so it's a great time to plan your child's dental visit. The first dental visit is to help your child feel comfortable with the dentist and it should be a pleasant experience. First dental visits are recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in, but it is never too late to start on the dental health journey.

Whether this is your child's first visit or they are seasoned pros, here are some tips to make the visit a pleasant experience and what to expect:

1. Schedule a dental visit in the morning when your child is rested and fresh, not during naptime.
2. If you have dental anxieties, do your best to not relay these fears to your child. Keep it a fun and happy experience.
3. Generally, X-rays are not performed on baby teeth. 
4. If your child cries a little or wiggles during the exam, don’t worry. It’s normal, and your dental team should understand.
5. Save snacks for after the visit.
6. Visit the dentist every six months.

And, finally, reading books about dental visits may help your child be less fearful and more confident.

Here are some suggestions:

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist, opens a new window

Just Going to the Dentist, opens a new window

Prince Lance Goes to the Dentist, opens a new window

Meet A Dentist!, opens a new window

Brush! Brush! Brush!, opens a new window