Best way to prep for the dentist?

tonychelle

My daughter turned 2 in November. Her pediatrician recommended going to a pediatric dentist soon-ish because her top front middle gum is down to her tooth line (common but worth a look). I booked an appointment with a dentist and they said they will try to clean her teeth too while she is there (kind of do whatever she will let them do).

Just wondering the best way to prepare her at this age. She does OK at her regular doc, but not really when they want to look in her mouth or ears.

We've talked about it a bit, and I was thinking about showing her a video like the week of her visit. Any other ideas?

sammyfurs

I showed my son videos on YouTube of children's first visit to the dentist, so I think that's a great idea. He really enjoyed that. Also, we "practiced" by having him lie back in our recliner while he opened big like an alligator so I could look in his mouth. Try to avoid any sort of negative wording, like "Don't worry, there's nothing to be scared of" or "This won't hurt"...then they automatically think there is something to be concerned about.

I'm a hygienist myself, but I had my coworker see him so that he'd take it more seriously (and not think it was just another day of me trying to look in his mouth!). It depends on the office, but most first visits are more of chance to let the child become comfortable. We show them around, let them look at our "tools", talk to the parent and just try to make it fun and light-hearted. A lot of it depends on the parent...if you stay calm and positive, she will likely mirror that and be just fine. Good luck!

hbr.white

We bought the book Ready, Set, Brush to get her excited about dental hygiene. It has Sesame Street characters and addresses brushing and going to the dentist. Our daughter actually just went to the dentist for the first time yesterday (she's 28 months old). We really talked up going to the dentist; we also found a picture of her dentist to "introduce" her to her dentist before she meets her in the office. I think this helped the most. She knew who to expect. With all this said, she didn't have a cleaning (just an exam) and this didn't keep her from crying entirely, but I truly believe it made a difference. You could also possibly try bribing her (e.g. if you are a good girl for the dentist, I'll take you for ice cream as soon as we leave). Good luck!

08summerbride

if you have a really good pediatric dentist, you may not need much prep at all.  My daughter LOVES going because she earns tokens to the prize box and they painted her nails. The thinks it is the best place ever . 

kaydee77

I'm actually bringing DD with me to my next cleaning (she just turned 3), that way she can watch mommy get her cleaning.  They will also let her ride up and down in the chair and check out the tools.  Then we'll get her scheduled for an actual cleaning.

Meeshe

Ask how the dentist does first visits.  For my oldest, they came out to the lobby while she sat on my lap and gradually transitioned her back to the regular chair from there.  They would have done it with my second but once he saw her do it, he wanted to go in the big chair too.  Also I just said the dentist is going to count your teeth at the beginning.  Because nothing sounds scary about that.  I think if you act like it will be fun, they follow your lead.  Course mine always liked the dr., etc.

dmurrie

At our daughter's first visit (she was 2 as well. Our pediatrician recommended everyone see their dentist by then), and they let me go back with her and let her sit on my lap for the first visit. She didn't yell or wiggle too much but she did clamp her mouth shut. The dentist knew what to do. She recently had her 3 year visit, which DH took her to, and they turned a TV show on for her. She sat on her own in the chair and let them do the cleaning and exam with no problems... she is also a lot more used to regular doctor visits now than she was then (long story), so we told her the dentist was a tooth doctor, and she wasn't worried about it. She does know the word for "dentist" but comparing it to something she was already familiar with helped.

rodiesmum

i bought this "dentist toy set" and we play with that at home. i also remind her during brushing time that she has to keep her teeth clean and healthy so that the dentist would be happy. the 'dentist game' though paid off well because she breezed through her dental appointment yesterday when the dentist had to apply topical flouride on four of her molars.

also, the pedia dent was really nice to DD so that made things a lot easier. HTH