What Age Should Your Child Go To The Dentist?
Registering your child at a dentist from early on can help them in the long-term by getting them used to what happens at a dentist and to provide them with more understanding about their teeth and how to look after them properly.
Many parents cite that their children are either too young or too scared to visit the dentist, but there are always ways around this, to help calm children who may be jittery. We will look into this a bit further down.
My Child Has Barely Any Teeth Should I Still Take Them?
Visiting the dentist isn’t just about checking your teeth, it’s about knowledge and understanding and becoming accustomed with the environment. For example the below four pointers are prime examples of why you should take your child to visit the dentist.
Help your child chew properly to maintain good nutrition.
Involvement in speech development.
Help save space for permanent teeth.
Promoting a healthy smile that helps children feel good about the way they look.
How To Calm Your Child At The Dentist
Even adults can be put on the edge of their seats at the dentist, so put yourself into the shoes of a 2 or 3 year-old, who is lying back on a seat with a strange person hovering above them with a mask on, a light shining in their eyes, and sharp tools going into their mouths. They are understandably going to panic.
The first step to settling nerves is to take your child with you on a previous visit, to get them used to the place, the people and the instruments. Let your child see you having a check-up.
The second is to buy a book that can help them learn more about their teeth, how to clean them and what happens if they don’t visit the dentist. This can often lead a child into really wanting to go!
The third and final point may sound silly, but playing dentists at home and role playing with your child can make a total difference. Play around. Take turns being the dentist and the patient with your child. Examine each other’s teeth with a mirror or use your fingers to count each other’s teeth so that your child will be familiar with the feel of a dentist examination.
Back to Blog
