First Dental Visit

[andiesmama]

Ok, Andie's first dentist appointment is on Monday!! I got a couple books from the library so we could read about it, to prepare her....

How did your kids do at their first visit? Did you do anything special to get them ready for it? Or maybe some kind of promise of something after?

I was thinking we'd go to the park afterwards, or out to lunch (her appt is at 11).

Just looking for some hints....but mainly reassurance that MOMMY will live through it!!

 

[alaskamolly]

Well, I talk it up like it's the biggest most wonderful thing ever, prepare them for the *really fancy* chair they're going to get to sit in, and even have them practice it at home (including opening their mouth, so I can peek in it to check their teeth). This prepares them a bit for all the "new stuff" they'll experience while there.

Then, of course, we can't forget the REWARD part. "If you're really really good for the dentist, he/she will give you a new toothbrush when you're done!"

Ours always gives the children a baggie with a new brush, special floss, and a sticker---you might want to call ahead and find out what they give children when the visit is done, so you can more effectively plant the glistening reward in her head...

That always helps them tough it out, if they walk in and get nervous suddenly. "Ok, well, you don't have to do this, but of course then you'll miss out on the special present for the children who obey..."

I make a huge deal out of it, so much so that whoever doesn't get to go is TOTALLY jealous. My newly turned three hasn't gone to the dentist yet (but will soon), and I had the children so excited that he bawled his head off when he found out he didn't get an "pointment" yet to the Dentist! It is a very honored thing, that only "big children" get to do...


Happy dentisting!
Love,
Molly

 

[andiesmama]

Thanks! I've got Andie practicing how she opens her mouth for the dentist...she opens really wide & goes "aaahhhh!!" until she's out of breath! But in her books they talk about getting a toothbrush after the visit, so I've talked that up, plus when we went to make the appt, she saw all the cool toys they had in the waiting room, so right there is a plus!

I think it'll be ok, especially since I'll be in the exam room with her...this dentist even lets mommy hold them in the chair if we want to (we meaning KID! hehe)

I'll be sure to let you know how it goes...I think I'm more nervous than Andie is!!

 

[karla]

Kaitlyn did pretty well. i kept telling her how fun it is to go tothe dentist and explained to her what would happen and how they would use a tickle toothbrush on her teeth to clean them and then the dentist would count her teeth to see how many she had. We also talked about her getting her new toothbrush from the dentist if she did a good job. When visit time came, she sat pretty well for the cleaning all by herself, but when the dentist wanted to count her teeth, I had to sit in the chair with her on my lap because she didn't want to lay back. Once I sat with her she was fine with it all. Praying things go well for you

 

[andiesmama]

Thanks Karla!! From what the girls at this office said, the first visit is to mainly check out her teeth (count them), they don't do a cleaning until they are at least 2 1/2 or 3, and Andie's not that (2 1/2) until January. And she (dentist) lets mommy sit in the chair with the child if they need to....hoping the promise of McDonald's afterwards will be incentive as well!! hehe

 

[lucypevensie]

We just act like it's the most normal thing in the world to go to the dentist (who is our friend) once in a while (every 6 months). It's good that Andie's starting early. The prizes are a bonus. Our kids love the dentist! On their first visit they got a T Shirt, toothbrush and toothpaste, they got to have their picture taken in the big chair (woo-hoo!!!), and the get a coupon for fries at McDonald's. They can also have an apple if they want one.

ZIP THE LIPS on the dentist "horror stories" especially around kids. I think a lot of kids fears come from what they hear, even when it's done in a joking manner.

 

[andiesmama]

Well, it's over!! She did fine, sat in the chair & had the bib put on her...UNTIL they showed her the electric polisher! Oh boy, that did it!! Cried until it was over...

But you know, I could tell the cries were half-hearted, more like "I hate the indignity and that you are MAKING me sit here" rather than "Oh mommy! I'm so scared!"...know what I mean? Another clue that she was forcing it?? When they did the rinse & suction...she stopped & was playing around with the water & suction in her mouth! Plus, when it was all over, she stopped....after a lingering sniffle...and promptly asked the dentist if she wanted to go play in the park with us!

Kids, aren't they the little performers??