Is it too Early to bring your child to the dentist?
It is never too early to take your child to the dentist. The ideal time for their first visit is when their first tooth appears in the mouth or when they are 12 months old. If you notice anything unusual, it is always better to get things checked at the dentist. Prevention is always better than cure and a visit to the dentist early will protect your child from tooth decay.
At JK Dental we always aim to make your child’s first visit to the dentist a positive experience. However, it is possible that they are unco-operative during their first visit just like at the doctor, hair dresser or seeing different people for the first time. The dental team is trained at managing the child, and the dentist and the nurses will be gentle and caring.
This is a milestone for your child and it should be remembered just like their first day at school or their first hair-cut. Feel free to take photos and you will have a great memory or some great material for their 18th or 21st birthday.
Parents play a very important role in making their child’s first dental visit, a positive experience. It is always best to use child friendly terms such as “A Ride in the Dentist Chair” or “The Dentist is going to count your teeth.”
Avoid using words such as “Needle” “Drill” or “They will pull out your teeth if you don’t brush.” These are likely to make the child fearful and not have any influence in changing brushing or healthy eating habits.
It is often helpful to play dentist at home and count your child’s teeth and explain that dentists take care of our teeth. It is always best to not go into too much detail and let the dental team manage the child in the chair.
It is best not to be anxious yourself as the child can pick this up and get anxious themselves. JK Dental is a family-friendly practice and we practice dentistry in a pleasant, caring and understanding manner.