Two Tips To Help Ease Your Toddler Into Going To The Dentist
Building good dental habits should start as young as possible. It's never too early to begin conveying to your child how important it is to maintain the health of their teeth and gums. As your toddler's teeth grow in and you show them how to brush, you should also get them accustomed to going to the dentist. The professional cleaning that you can get from a dentist is an excellent addition to your overall oral hygiene routine and one that should not be neglected. The only issue is that your toddler may need some adjusting before they'll feel completely comfortable with going to the dentist. The following tips can help you ease your little one into going to the dentist for the first time so that they can greet the situation with confidence.
Set Up A Mock Dental Appointment
If your toddler is like many children, they probably have a very vivid imagination. Children love to engage in "pretend" scenarios where they get to place themselves in an entirely different experience while still being surrounded by what is familiar to them. You can use this tactic to your advantage by setting up a mock dental appointment. It's sure to be lots of fun for your toddler while being educational at the same time.
Make the experience as realistic as possible by using simple household items. When you go to the dentist, one of the first things you'll usually see is a large, high chair. Recreate this in your house by setting up a booster seat on a kitchen chair and draping a blanket over it to give the effect of a dental chair. Find a floor lamp and remove the shade so that it acts like the bright lights that are seen in many dental offices. Place your child on the chair and gently examine their mouth, explaining what you're doing every step of the way.
Online Videos Can Do So Much More Than Entertain
Children tend to enjoy watching the flickering screens of cell phones or tablets. The sheer volume of children's videos that can be found on many virtual platforms is a testimony to just how popular these forms of media really are.
Locate a few online videos which detail what it's like the first time a toddler goes to the dentist. Let your child watch the videos so they'll know what to expect.
Preparing your toddler for the dentist is one way to remove fear. Once you've prepared them, find a local dentist to go to like The Centre for Contemporary Dental Concepts. After you've had that first successful dental appointment be sure to reward your little one for their bravery!
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