A Child’s First Visit to the Dentist
The first hygiene visit for your child (pedodontic prophylaxis) should be done at about 2 to 2 1/2 years of age, depending on the child’s behavior. Importantly, this should not be the first time the child visits our office. Before this visit, we would like the child to come in with a parent who is getting a routine preventive prophylaxis. We have many toys, coloring books, and children’s movies that can be shown. In this way, children come to know the dental office as a very pleasant, nonthreatening experience. Hopefully, by the time they come for their own prophylaxis, they have been to the office several times. They know the dentist, the dental hygienist, and the way the office and dental equipment looks and sounds. They will have a good idea of what will be expected of them. They will have had only good experiences with all of these people at this location. Usually, children introduced to dentistry in this manner are very excited about having their own dental reservations.
It is important for parents to always talk positively about going to a dental office as well as after the dental reservation has occurred. Children are very smart. They may not know what some of the words mean, but they can understand how you feel about it. You should try not to use any words around them that might have an unpleasant connotation: toothache, drill, pull, hurt, pain, unhappy, etc. Always talk about how happy you are to go to the dentist and what a great experience it was. If necessary, and if your child asks, tell him or her about how glad you are that the dentist is making your mouth feel good again, without mentioning any of the discomfort.
It is also important that the children are not threatened by the dentist and to avoid making the dentist appear to be the “heavy.” Don’t tell children, for example, that if they eat candy, they will have to go to the dentist to get their teeth drilled and filled. Children will then think of the dentist’s office as a place where you get punished for doing something bad. We want children to be completely comfortable and to not worry when it is time for a dental appointment.
The first time the child has a dental procedure performed, at the age of 2 to 2 years, it will usually be very simple, quick, and entirely painless. Of course, we assume you have followed all the preventive suggestions we have given you: Fluoride vitamins, if appropriate, brushing the child’s teeth, nothing in a night bottle but water, and so forth.
First, we will spend a little bit of time with the child in a show-and-tell mode. We will show the child the various instruments: polishers, mirrors, “Mr. Thirsty” (saliva ejector), the water gun (air/water syringe), and so on. The dental hygienist will also begin to instruct the child in proper brushing techniques. At this young age, children do not manipulate dental floss and a brush properly. This is a project for the parent. Children admire and try to imitate their parents, so your good example of brushing and flossing each day will help tremendously in this area. Children will see that it is something you do, which they will then try to imitate.
Also during this visit, the dentist will “count” the child’s teeth, while looking for decay or other problems. Then the dental hygienist will “tickle” (clean and polish) the teeth. Stains and plaque that might have accumulated will be easily removed. It is very unusual for a child to have major periodontal problems.
If the child is prepared correctly, the first treatment visit at the dentist will be anticipated with no anxiety, proceed smoothly, and make the child excited about coming again. What you do at home in preparation for this first visit is most important to its success. Good luck!
