Calming Children's Fears: Making the First Dental Visit a Fun One

As soon as a child grows his or her first teeth, a trip to the dentist's office is warranted. The child may be barely two years old, however, so any examination by a stranger is an intimidating experience. Make the first dental visit a fun one by trying these basic tips. Children's fears will fade away.

Choosing a Kid-Friendly Office

Perform some research by visiting several pediatric dental offices in your area without your child. Walk in and survey the interior space. Try to put yourself in your child's shoes. If you don't feel instantly comfortable in the office, your child will have the same sensation.

A kid-friendly office won't look like a dental facility. Brightly colored walls, toys and even playground equipment might dot the waiting room. These distractions make the facility look welcoming to every child.

Trying a "Visit" First

Making a traditional appointment with a dentist may not work for your child. The act of physically walking into the office can be stressful enough for some children. Think about making an appointment where you and your child merely visit with the dentist. A short chat is a great way to create a relationship. The meeting doesn't feel intimidating. The child simply learns the dentist's name and favorite things to do. The next visit can entail some evaluations.

Stepping Into the Dental World

Explain to your child that the next appointment will involve an evaluation of the mouth. Because the child sees the dentist as a friend from the first meeting, an evaluation isn't too stressful to think about. Make your second appointment and show up a little bit early. Allow the child to play and enjoy the surroundings. You might introduce the child to the dental chair as you walk into the backroom. Creating a casual atmosphere puts everyone at ease, including the child.

Finishing off the Appointment

Leave the child with a positive feeling after the first dental visit is over. The dentist should give the child a treat or prize from a treasure chest. Rewarding the child healthy foods that improve dental health can be a very positive gesture. During the next appointment, the child will have practically no stress regarding the visit. The dentist's office is a fun place to go.

If you're wondering if there's a kids dentist near me, be proactive and perform an online search in your area. Many dental professionals gear their practices toward children, which makes your visit an easy one to complete. Simply try a dentist that you've researched as thoroughly as possible. You may find the perfect individual after only one try.

What Is the Going Rate for the Tooth Fairy?

One of the most fun milestones in a child’s life is when they begin to lose their baby pearly whites. It can lead to silly traditions, such as trying an unusual way to pull out a loose tooth, and funny memories about how the tooth finally came out. That first wiggly tooth not only brings great excitement to the family, but also an important question: how much money should you give your child for a lost tooth?

How much does the tooth fairy pay?

When you were little, you might have only gotten a quarter or a larger molar might have earned a dollar. Unfortunately for your wallet (but to the pleasure of your kids), the tooth fairy’s payments have increased dramatically since you lost any teeth and the increase does not seem to coincide with inflation! The current average in 2017 is $4–$5 in cold hard cash. Some parents even sweeten the pot with little gifts.

Some parents choose to pay more for the first and/or last tooth than for the rest. You can also use this opportunity as an incentive for your kids to improve their oral care, telling them that the tooth fairy pays more for healthier teeth. Of course, you should factor in your income and how many children you have as you decide on an amount.

Should you keep your kids’ baby teeth?

Did you ever wonder what you should do with all those baby teeth your collecting? It can be impractical, and a little creepy, to keep every single one. If you’re the sentimental type, hold onto at least one from each child. You can store them in a keepsake box, put them in baby books, or give them to your children when they’re older. There’s no obligation, however, to keep baby teeth at all.

What about kids who lose their teeth late?

When your children don’t lose their teeth at the same time their friends and classmates do, it can be a little emotional for your child. Losing teeth is like a rite of passage to becoming a big kid. Explain to your children that everyone grows at different rates and the time will come when their teeth are ready.

If no baby teeth have come out by age 7, then go to a dentist for children in Langhorne or the town near you to ensure adult teeth lie beneath the gums. Even if your kids aren’t late, lost teeth are the perfect time to visit a kids’ dental office. If you don’t already have one you go to, ask a close friend to suggest a “pediatric dental offices near me” andschedule an appointment.