Going to the dentist for the first time can be scary for a child. That’s why the children’s dentist at Keiki Dental in Ewa Beach, HI has a team of supportive staff members experienced in making children of all ages feel comfortable. Here are their tips you can follow to ensure your child has a good experience.

Do:

Start Early

It’s best to take your children to the dentist by the time they’re one year old. Infants and toddlers don’t harbor apprehensions about the dentist. When exposed early, they’ll already be familiar with the staff and dental office by the time they do need dental work. If you’ve missed the early period, you can still help your child acclimate to the children’s dentist by starting off slowly. For example, you can schedule a cleaning and exam first before scheduling more invasive procedures.

Practice Ahead of Time

Children are curious about everything. You can take advantage of this by playing a children’s dentist at home as preparation. Start by examining your child’s teeth and counting them. If you want, you can also imitate the dental hygiene part by brushing your child’s teeth. To make it more fun for your child, take turns and let them be the dentist.

Don’t:

Pick the Wrong Appointment Time

If your child always takes a nap after lunch, you shouldn’t schedule a dentist visit at that time. You should pick the time of day when your child is in the best mood, not cranky with hunger or sleepiness. Unless it’s an emergency, it’s better to wait to get an appointment at the most convenient time for your family.

Be Negative About the Visit

You should never talk about the visit to the children’s dentist in a negative way. Even if you dislike going to the dentist yourself, don’t say so to your child because your attitude will rub off on them. You should also never use the visit to the dentist as punishment. You don’t want your child to dread the dentist. Going to the dentist should be something that your family does on a regular basis, much like going to the pediatrician.

To make your child’s first visit to the dentist a success, it’s best to pick a kid-friendly dental office like Keiki Dental. Dr. Yongsok Do, DMD is a board-certified pediatric dentist who also offers sedation and hospital dentistry services. Visit the website or call (808) 680-9411 for more information.