Finding the best local dentist for your little ones is about more than just exceptional service. Children’s dentists also require a certain charisma, patience, comforting vibe, and friendly, welcoming persona that will put your children at ease.
Preparing your child for a visit to the dentist isn’t always easy, but you can help to calm their nerves by answering their questions and letting them know that we are not scary. In fact, we are fun, and we make every effort to make the visit enjoyable in order to lay the groundwork for healthy dental habits in the future.
Preparing Your 4- or 5-Year-Old for a Visit with Dr. Papastamatis
In order to get your children ready to see the dentist, think like a child for a minute. Let’s put ourselves in their shoes and answer some of the concerns they might have.
Child: What will they do there?
Parent: You will sit in a comfy chair, and the dentist will look at your teeth. He will count them and clean them up to make them bright and sparkly. They will tell you how to take care of your teeth to keep them healthy and strong, just like mine.
Child: Is it going to hurt?
Parent: Dr. Papastamatis will be as gentle as he can be. You might feel some funny tickling in your mouth. He and the nice ladies who work there might spray some water in your mouth — you know, like when you play with your water blaster in the backyard — and take some pictures of your teeth. They call the pictures X-rays. You can even see the pictures, and they can tell you all about how your teeth work.
Child: Will I get bubblegum-flavored toothpaste and a lollipop?
Parent: I don’t think dentists give out lollipops, because all that sugar is bad for your teeth. But I’m sure you’ll get good toothpaste and a pretty toothbrush to take home with you. You might even get a prize from the toy box in the office.
Child: Will I have to sleep there at night?
Parent: No! This is just a quick visit. We’ll be in and out of there before you know it.
Child: Is Dr. Papas nice? I like his name. It’s funny.
Parent: Yes! Your older brother and sister love him! He’s my dentist too. Did you know that? Look at my teeth. Don’t they look great? That’s partially because of his work. It’s also because I eat healthy and brush my teeth twice a day, just like you do.
Preparing for a Toddler’s First Visit to the Dentist
A child’s first visit to the dentist should occur when he or she is about 18 months old. You might not be able to calm their nerves with charming conversation at that age, but we’ll help you get through it anyway. We have lots of tricks up our sleeves to help keep children calm during the visit.
You can help prepare them as well by doing the following:
- Don’t tell them about the visit too far in advance, as that may give them too much time to worry. Tell them on the day of the visit, but do tell them ahead of time so that they are not surprised.
- Put a positive spin on the visit.
- Watch children’s videos or read books together before the visit so that they know what to expect.
- Have fun playing dentist. Have the child lie in a chair while you brush his or her teeth and talk about oral hygiene. Give the child a chance to be the dentist too!
- Let the child bring his or her favorite toy for comfort, and make sure the child is well-rested before the visit to avoid any crankiness.
As you are looking for a dentist for children in Rochester Hills, remember to find a dentist who can treat individuals of all ages. Doing so will simplify your scheduling time, as well as facilitate a stronger connection between your family and the dentist.
Most importantly, the dentist can care for the child well into his or her adulthood. By following the child’s growth process, the dentist can predict any structural or habitual issues that may cause problems in the future, allowing you and your child to work to prevent them.
To schedule an appointment with our dentist in Rochester Hills, call our office. Visit our website for more information about any of our dental services.
We will look forward to caring for you and your little ones!