| Many children have fears of going to the doctor | | | | books that explain going to the dentist in an easy, |
| and this is also true for children visiting the dentist | | | | child friendly way. You might even find movies or |
| for the first time. When you take your child to | | | | cartoons about going to the dentist. |
| the dentist for the first time, it can be quite | | | | See a pediatric dentist. If you have tried taking |
| scary. The chairs are big, the lights are bright and | | | | your child to the dentist and the visit ended in |
| the dentist wears a scary mask and gloves. You | | | | tears, you might want to consider using a |
| can try to rationalize with your child and tell him or | | | | pediatric dentist. A pediatric dentist is specially |
| her that there is nothing to be afraid of, but your | | | | trained to work with children and their needs. In |
| child still may be scared. The good news is that | | | | addition, you may find that a pediatric dentist uses |
| there are things that you can do to help ease the | | | | bright colors and smaller chairs in their office |
| fears of that first dentist visit. If you are taking | | | | making the visit seem less scary. Pediatric dentists |
| your child to the dentist for the very first time, | | | | usually see patients up to the age of eighteen. |
| consider the following: | | | | Take your child to the dentist with you. If you |
| Your child should see a dentist by the age of two. | | | | are going for a regular check up at your own |
| This seems like a very young age, but this is a | | | | dentist and you do not need any major work, |
| good time to instill the importance of regular visits. | | | | think about taking your child along to watch. |
| The dentist will introduce your child to the office | | | | Before you do this, speak to your dental office |
| and show him or her the equipment in a | | | | and make sure that is acceptable. In many cases, |
| non-scary way. In addition, the dentist will | | | | your dentist will allow your child to help examine |
| probably talk to your child about the proper way | | | | your teeth. That helps them know what they can |
| to brush and the importance of eating healthy. If | | | | expect at their first visit. |
| you start taking your child to the dentist at an | | | | Take a favorite toy. When it is time for your child |
| early age, he or she is less likely to be afraid. | | | | to go visit the dentist, allow your child to bring |
| Read books about visiting the dentist. One great | | | | along their favorite toy, doll, pillow or blanket. |
| way to prepare a young child for the first trip to | | | | Having something that is familiar may help your |
| the dentist is to visit your local library or | | | | child cope with the visit easier. |
| bookstore and find books about visiting the | | | | If you have a child that has a fear of visiting the |
| dentist. Many popular childrens character have | | | | dentist, try some of these tips for an easier visit. |