Child's first dentist appointment

[Jakethekid]

My son has his first dentist appointment tomorrow. We have just registered him and they have to do an appointment for new patients. He is 20 months and I'm already feel nervous about trying to get him to sit still.

Does anyone have any advice about the first appointment and tips to get them to let the dentist see their teeth? He has all his teeth (the last two are nearly fully grown) and used to be good with teeth brushing but recently it's becoming a bit of a battle to get them brushed properly. Are most dentists good with getting small children and have their own tricks?

I know I'm being a worrier, I just don't want to get there and they not be able to check.

[Electrocute1980]

Does he like peppa? There is an episode of peppa where they go to the dentist and we watched that the morning before we went and just practiced doing "ahhhh" and opening wide. But honestly they won't mind if he won't let them look. My dentist is really nice and if DS isn't in the humour to let him look he's very patient and just sort of peeps in best he can! Try not to be worry, it'll be fine!

[Fitzsimmons]

If tomorrow goes wrong then the Peppa Pig episode mentioned above is also available as a book and it explains the whole process really well.

Have to say though, the only thing that worked for my son after several failed trips was standing there with a new toy whilst he sat on the chair and telling him that the toy was his if he let the dentist look.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

He won't need to sit still and they probably won't even look at his teeth, just show him the special chair and give him a sticker. If he's really comfortable he might get a ride in the chair.

[lolalotta]

Our family dentist never forced the issue, she used to come in with me, cry, refuse to look at him, he would say hello say a few kind words then send her on her way. I don't think he actually got a look until she 2 1/3, just 3. She sat on my lap in the chair the first time she was more open to the idea and he took a very quick look with lots of praise. The next time she sat in the chair by herself and now at nearly 5 it's a non-issue. Good luck!

[lolalotta]

2 1/2 not 2 1/3!

[HeyMicky]

Our dentist lets little ones sit on a parents lap of necessary, or I can sit by them and hold their hand. The dentist then "counts" the teeth.

You could have a practice in advance - put some sun glasses on them, sit in a chair, shine a lamp, say "ah" and count teeth. Talk about a sticker as a reward and maybe have one yourself as back up. Let him look in your mouth and count your teeth too. Maybe model on a toy.

Agree the Peppa episode is good.

[BrokenWing]

Ds let the dentist look at his teeth during his very first appointment 😬 ⭐️

The dentist sat at his chair and ds stood in the furthest away corner of the room, pressed up against the wall and opened his mouth slightly while the dentist shone the light in from 15ft away 😂

It took 3 checkups before he would get in the chair.

[widgetbeana]

My best advice is bring their toothbrush. Mine were pretty good about having teeth cleaned and so when the toothbrush got close they responded by opening mouth for the dentist to see.

[Namelesswonder]

First few appointments are really just about the child becoming familiar with the surroundings and the dentist. Dentists are trained to deal with young children and will keep everything as unthreatening as possible.