Fun Tips To Prep Kids Before Their First Visit To The Dentist

One of the many milestones your baby will hit in the first few years will include the day you notice that first little tooth popping out of their gum line. This might bring pleasant visions of tooth brushing and dental visits dancing into your head. Well, at least here at Quince Orchard Dental Care it does!

But, the first trip to the dentist can understandably come along with a little fear, for you and your child. Luckily there are plenty of fun things that you can do to prep for your child’s first dentist visit. Your toddler might or might not be fretting about the trip to the dentist, but as parents, we know that the anxiety goes both ways. So let’s dive into a few fun ways to help you both prepare.

Books About Dentists

Reading stories about dentists is a great way to set the stage and let your child know what’s going to happen on their first trip. Here are a few suggestions to get you started: (links provided but we encourage you to visit our local library or bookstore!)

For infants and young toddlers:

• Celebrate! Going to the Dentist
• Dentist (First Time)
• Just Going to the Dentist (Little Critter)
• Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig)
• Maisy, Charley, and the Wobbly Tooth

For older toddlers and preschoolers:

• Curious George Visits the Dentist
• Dentists and What They Do
• The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist

Arts and Crafts

Get your child used to the activities that happen during a dental exam and make them fun with some great art projects. Below are a few to try:

• Tooth Brushing - Get some yellow construction paper and cut out a few tooth shapes. Then paint them white with your child to show them how tooth brushing and a dental cleaning will help keep teeth healthy and bright!
• Collage of Smiles - Cut pictures out of magazines or find some great smile pictures online and print them out. Just use the smiles not the whole faces. (You can even include animal smiles!) Then glue them all on paper to make a smile collage.

Play Pretend

Prepare your child for the visit by play acting out what will happen at the dentist’s office during their first visit. This will give them an idea of what to expect so the mystery is taken out of the trip. Try to use words that they understand and feel comfortable with, like saying the dentists will “count” their teeth. Show your child what will happen by inspecting their teeth using their own toothbrush as a pretend tool. (Don’t use any other foreign objects or utensils in your child’s mouth.) You can use a stuffed animal as the patient and let your child play dentist too!

Bring a “Dental Pal”

Have your child pick a dental pal, a favorite stuffed animal or a new one who will go along on their first visit. A cuddly toy can help reduce anxiety and make the trip extra special with a special friend tagging along for the ride.

Your child’s chewing, speech development, and self-confidence all start with a healthy set of baby teeth. At Quince Orchard Dental Care we recommend that you call us as soon as you see the whites of your baby’s first little tooth pop.

Click below or call us at +1 (301)-527-2727 today to schedule a consultation with Quince Orchard Dental Care. We can’t wait to meet you and your little one! 

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