Most children are usually scared of going to the dentist, at least when they are young. The very first visit to the dentist can be fraught with peril if you do not constantly reassure your child. By establishing a great relationship with your kid’s dentist, you are showing your kid that you trust the dentist and so there is no reason why he or she shouldn’t trust him as well.

When should you first take your child to the dentist?

It’s always best to start dental checkups at an early age for best results. You should take your child to a pediatric dentist at the age of one or after the first tooth erupts. Usually, the first dental visit won’t involve any treatment unless a cavity has been discovered.

During the first visit, the dentist will offer you tips on how to take care of your child’s baby teeth to prevent cavities and dental problems.

Why is establishing trust so important?

Your child will feel more motivated to take care of his teeth if he likes and trusts his dentist. If children start taking care of their teeth at a young age, they are more likely to have a lifetime of good dental health.

Most dentists, especially children’s dentists, are dedicated to making their practice more child-friendly. They decorate their offices with colourful posters and keep a few toys lying around to make children feel at home in their offices.

Establishing a good rapport with your kid’s dentist will ensure that he takes the utmost care of your child’s teeth and prevents any deterioration in their condition. Ensuring that ‘baby teeth’ remain healthy for as long as they possibly can, has a lot of benefits. Taking good care of your child’s teeth at an early age will not only boost his dental hygiene, but will also ensure that you don’t have to spend too much on dental restorative procedures in his later years.

How to build the relationship?

It is understandable that if your child is young or has fear issues, he may require your presence in the dentist’s office. But if he is old enough to be left alone, it’s probably better as it will help him to develop a trust based relationship with his dentist. Some dentists, however, may require the parent to be present in order to keep the child calm.

The best way to build a good rapport with your kid’s dentist is by bringing your child for regular checkups and ensuring that he takes care of his teeth. Simply making sure that he brushes his teeth well every morning and night and flosses after meals is enough. Many children don’t understand the importance of taking care of their teeth and face problems later in life.

Another thing parents should keep in mind is that the more aware they are, of what should be done to maintain their child’s pearly whites; the better will be the relationship with their child’s dentist.

The basic things to keep in mind for your child’s dental hygiene:

• Check your child’s teeth constantly for any signs of cavities or decay.
• Have the pediatric dentist check your child’s bite to find out whether it is normal or whether your child might require braces in the future.
• Ensure that your child’s jaw, oral tissues, and gums are examined for any problems or discrepancies.
• Take your child for regular teeth cleaning sessions.

Most importantly, you ought to listen to your kid’s dentist very carefully when he specifies basic oral health care routine and ensure that your child follows it. This perhaps is the best way to build a good relationship with your child’s dentist. What do you think?