Getting Ready for Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Many people have grown up over the years with a fear of the dentist. At Derek M. Lichter, DDS, Inc., Dr. Lichter and his staff want your child to be ready for her visit, and to be comfortable at the office. One way to do that is start your dental visits early. The first visit to the dentist should take place within six months after your child’s first tooth appears, but before her first birthday.
To make the first trip to the dentist as easy as possible, Dr. Lichter suggests scheduling the appointment for the morning after your child has had a good night’s sleep and is likely to be more cooperative. It’s also important that you keep a positive, upbeat attitude since your child will be taking her cues from you. If she senses that you are anxious, that will make her anxious as well. Instead of telling your child that the trip to the dentist won’t hurt, tell her that the dentist will work to make sure her teeth are healthy. It’s also a good idea to let your child bring a favorite toy with her, and let her know that you go to the dentist, too. Take some time before the visit to talk with your child about going to the dentist, and let her voice any concerns or fears she may have about her first trip. You and your child might want to read books or watch videos about visiting the dentist. You should not bribe your child to go to the dentists, and you should not threaten her if she doesn’t want to go.
You may want to fill out the patient forms before your visit, and it’s a good idea to have a list of questions to ask the doctor regarding your concerns about your child’s dental health.
Dr. Lichter wants to make sure that every visit your child makes to his office is a pleasant one. Contact his office in Chula Vista, California at 619-591-8945 to schedule your child’s visit today.