Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be a happy one! At Driftwood Dental, we love to see kids smile and it's especially adorable when they giggle while having their young teeth polished.
What to Expect At Your Child's First Visit
The first 'regular' dental visit should be just after your child's first birthday. It’s typically short and involves very little treatment, if any.
The first appointment is all about making your child feel more comfortable. Our dentists will perform a comprehensive dental examination followed by a conversation about nutrition and good oral hygiene habits.
Usually, a professional dental cleaning, fluoride therapy and any necessary x-rays can also be completed during this visit; however, this can wait if your child isn’t quite ready.
We may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination or you may be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and the dentist.
Tips to Prepare Your Child for their First Visit
Many parents worry about how their child will react the first time they visit the dentist.
Here are a few tips on how you can prepare your child, and set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
- Take your child for a 'preview' of the office.
- Read books with them about going to the dentist.
- Review with them what the dentist will be doing at the time of the first visit.
- Speak positively about your own dental experiences.