If you are thinking of delaying your child’s visit to the dentist’s office, think again.

According to WebMD, you should take your child to the dentist office when they celebrate their first birthday.

You may be able to hold off for another year if your child doesn’t have a sweet tooth and avoids snacking at night.

But chances are high that you won’t notice all cavities without consulting a dental professional. Even a dentist can’t find hidden cavities without an X-ray.

If you’re searching for a general family dentist in St Louis but you haven’t decided on one yet, read on.

Why consultations are important at an early age

Prevention is key.

It is often difficult to convince your child to brush regularly. But the risk of pain and suffering as a result of cavities is not worth the wait.

Most dental professionals would recommend taking your child to an orthodontist as well.

Diagnosing crooked teeth at an early age prevents the embarrassment of wearing braces during adolescence.

While there are several options to choose from, metal braces are still ideal if you are looking for a budget-friendly alternative.

Many teens dread the idea of wearing metal braces.

It’s often difficult for a parent to help a teen cope with the embarrassment of wearing braces

An early diagnosis might make your child happier

How to prepare your kid for the dentist office

Scary, right?

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Nowadays, a visit to a dentist office involves unfounded fears, not pain.

But the fear is unnecessary. There are a few tricks you can use to make a visit to the dentist seem as smooth as a trip to the mall.

Keep brushing fun with an app

Yes, there is an app for everything, including dental hygiene

Before you dismiss the idea, think about how fun it will be for your child to track his progress, learn more about his teeth, and avoid the pain of cavities.

All that while using a smartphone.

Here are 100 apps that your child might love using.

Make sure you ask them once in a while if they keep on using the app, and praise them when they make progress. You can set a good example by using the app yourself and comparing the progress.

Practice some listening

Before you start dismissing all their fears with a happy song, listen to your child’s concerns.

Maybe they saw something that frightened them in a movie or on the news. Maybe they fear this is going to happen to them too.

It’s useless to try to put on a funny hat and try making your child laugh when you don’t know the root cause of their fear.

Listen and explain how the process is going to be.

Ask questions and be patient.

Sometimes children have difficulty describing how they feel.

Take an imaginary trip to the dentist’s office

A visit to the dentist’s office is always followed by advice.

You can explain to your child in detail what will happen and the purpose of a visit to the dentist by recreating the dental office environment.

You can talk about myths and give them valuable advice on how they should take care of their teeth.

Try describing, in positive terms, how a dentist’s office looks.

Prepare your child for the unexpected. Speak about the chair used in the dentist office, why everyone is wearing white, etc.

Avoid negative words

This is one the traps in which many parents fall into, even though they are always well-intentioned.

Avoid discussions about needles and sharp tools in the dentist office.

In certain situations, you might have to avoid the term “dentist” completely.

Instead, describe it as a fun visit to someone who will check how strong and healthy their teeth and gums are.

Tell a story they can relate to

Did you fear visits to the dentist office when you were a child?

How did you overcome those fears?

Tell your kids the positive experiences you had when you were their age.

Maybe you broke your teeth by accident, or maybe you didn’t listen to your mother about brushing and got a nasty cavity.

Tell them all about your experience.

Don’t make them feel guilty about their fears.

Make sure you listen and reassure them, letting them know they aren’t alone.

Also, make sure you talk about the importance of visiting the dentist office, and how their teeth and gums will thank them in the future.

Don’t bribe them with candy

If you offer them candy, your child will know for sure something is happening.

Children usually assume the worst too.

If your child wears braces, sticky foods or hard candies can lead to an orthodontic emergency.

Make sure you don’t use unhealthy snacks as a reward. They not only lead to dental issues, but they also impact the health of your child.

Don’t get frustrated by negative reactions

Prepare for the unexpected.

Sometimes no matter how much you try to prepare your child, whining and crying still happens.

Don’t panic. The staff at the dentist’s office is more used to these reactions than you are.

After all, we deal with these reactions on a daily basis.

Stay calm and let the dentist try to build a connection with your child.

Wrapping it up

Regular visits to the dentist office are a must for your child’s oral health.

It may be hard to prepare them for their first visits, but keep in mind that you were in their shoes when you were younger.

Listen to their concerns, relate to their fears, and explain that what happens in a dentist’s office will keep their teeth shiny and healthy.

If you aren’t sure what you should do next, don’t hesitate to contact us.

We are more than happy to answer all your questions.

Our office is located in the heart of the Central West End in St Louis, and we pride ourselves of combining modern dentistry with a soft touch.