Nervous About 1St Dental Exam for Toddler!

I also had horrid experiences as a child. I just won't go to the Dentist myself without being anesthitized. I take the kids to see a Pediatric Dentist in OKC. He is totally a different breed of dentist. He plays with the kids and talks to them like people. He puts the kids to sleep to work on fillings and other dental issues and is able to do the work at 3 different hospitals in the OKC area. My best friend took her daughter to a regular family dentist and he filled her front tooth 3 times before he finally decided to pull the baby tooth. She was 6 years old and had to experience that 4 times.

K fell at her mom's and broke her front tooth. She really enjoyed her initail visit to him too. She was put to sleep to get the cap and a couple of fillings. J was about 18 months old the first time he went and he did wonderfully. He sat still the entire time his teeth were being cleaned and laughed at the dentist when he was getting examined.

I agree with a good pediatric dentist. I also read my son lots of books about going to the dentist and had my son watch the Dora and Elmo video about going to the dentist. Also I made a huge deal about getting a new toothbrush and how cool that was! He now LOVES going! He even looks forward to it! The first visit is nothing big. They try not to scare them on the first visit but instead to gain their trust.

First of all, I'm a weirdo, I LOVE LOVE LOVE going to the dentist. Seriously. So my positiveness towards my 4 and 6 year olds first visit played a big part in their behavior once they got there. We went to a child friendly dentist, they had their appointments at the same times, and they both had a teeny tiny cavity... in the exact same tooth. They sat side by side and because they were so excited about the promise of stickers afterwards, they were angels. When they got the cavities drilled and filled, they gave them laughing gas... which was hilarious for me after the fact. I was nervous FOR them, and how they would react, but overall it was a great experience, and I am positive it was because I was so upbeat and excited for them before they even went. Kids smell fear... be honest with your daughter if she has questions, but maintain a positive attitude about it, let her form her own opinion of the dentist. Good luck to her... and good luck to YOU! Best wishes :)

I have an almost 4 year old and we took her to the dentist for the first time when she turned 3. A couple of things I suggest is:

Go to a pedriatric detnist. They are accustomed to toddler behavior and think nothing of it. They also are experienced in making the experience fun and not scary. They also take the steps slowly so if your child is not ready for cleaning or x-rays they will have them come in a few times to get used to the place before they try any procedures.

Try very hard to let your nervousness show. If your kid senses you are unsure or nervous they will feel the same way and behave accordingly. Act like you are going to the grocery store and they won't know the difference.

Do not expect a lot from the first visit. They will count your child's teeth and talk to you and her about good eating and brushing habbits and they will ask if you have questions. Definitley ask about the spot on her molar and they will take it from there.

If you have enough time...let your daughter come to the dentist with you when you go so she is exposed to the environment and will know what to expect. Granted, I would take her to a cleaning and not a cavity filling or root canal.

Just know you are doing the right thing as a parent to take great care of your child's teeth and there is nothing to be afraid of. Let us know how it goes!!

I agree with the others about making sure it's a pediatric dentist. I also bought children's books about going to the dentist. Her first visit she wouldn't let them clean her teeth, only count them and apply flouride. I had an appointment a short time before her second appointment and brought her along to show her it was no big deal getting your teeth cleaned. Her next visit she let them clean her teeth and take a full set of x-rays. I was so proud of her.

Make sure it is a kid friendly Dentist and staff. I took my 3 year old for his first checkup and cleaning and the staff and Dentist were great. They took his picture for his file so they would know him on sight when he walked in the door. They had hand held games for him to play with when they first put him in the chair and he was shown everything that they were going to use and told him what it was for. He did not understand most of it but it helped mom a lot and he was pretty calm. They also let him pick stuff out for his goody bag along with letting him pick his new toothbrush.

I am so glad you asked this question I have been freaking out myself!! My son is going to be 2 in May and was thinking about introducing him then. I see most of you waited until your children were at least 3, is it easier to wait longer? Again thanks for asking the question A.! Hopefully I can get some good advice of all of you! :)

My son's first visit was with my regular dentist. He sat and watched me get my teeth cleaned & checked and when it was his turn, he was so cooperative, she cleaned his teeth, even though the plan was just to get hm familiar with the chair, the "squirt gun", etc.

I have since switched to a pediatric dentist (not from anything bad w/my reg dentist) but don't be all freaked out if you're not using a pediatric dentist--it can still be a positive experience for her!

Remain calm, b/c she will pick up on your stress if you have any! Good luck!

Our children loved the dentist when they were little and were always so excited to go because they thought the only reason was "to get their teeth counted!" This made them open wide and were so thrilled to hear the number. I would always recommend (insist if necessary) that you stay in the room with them during the visit because it will make your child more comfortable. These are strangers really to both of you. Call and make sure this is alright with them in advance. If they have any problem with it, find another. These are simply exams, nothing surgery related that I guess would warrant more safety measures and no extras in the room. Sit quietly out of the way and don't get involved with any treatment or chatting. Your child will be comforted to know that they can see you too.

There is a new process called waterlase for filling cavities - they use lasers and they don't have to use anesthetic, so I would look into finding one who is super-kid-friendly and does that.

My childhood memories of the dentist were from when I was a pre-teen and we went to stereotypical awful HMO dentists. I would recommend getting referrals from friends on a good dentist first. Many PPO dentists get better reviews. If your dental insur. doesn't cover the dentist you want, you might consider paying for the visit out of pocket (if it's in your budget)--if there are no dental problems, paying for dental insurance may not be such a good deal.

I take my kids to our local kool smiles. They usually don't let the parents back with the kids. You watch them through a 2way mirror. That way , they don't have to calm down an anxious parent AND child!

Hey You I just took my 32 month old to the Denist. She went 6 months ago to watch her older sister and we really talked about her going alot. We told her every time we brushed her teeth that she would be going to the dentist soon. She was excited to get a new tooth brush and a toy ball. So my advice would be to talk about the denist every time you brush her teeth. If the Dentist office gives a new tooth brush or a toy. Talk about that. My husband recently had a toothache. So we told her how bad it would hurt if she had one. Explaining how important it is to go to the dentist. Well she went on Thursday and considering it went well. She would not let them brush her teeth with the automatic brush. But she let them use ner new tooth brush to clean her teeth and she let them count her teeth. I also promised her a new (ten Dollar ) toy from the toy store and she really wanted that toy. So it went well for my little busy bee. Good luck and e-mail me if you need to.

A.,
Make sure it is a pediatric dentist and a child friendly office.
I too had horrible experiences as a child. But boy my boys have never been afraid of the dentist and don't mind going.
I am sure she will be fine. But make sure she does not sense your anxiety about it.
Victoria

I take all my children to a pediatric dentist. It is the most awesome place. They are totally geared toward the children, making the experience nice for them. None of my children had a bad experience the first time (or anytime after...they actually like going)...just know that your daughter can probably sense your fear so maybe you should go check out a place before you take her and get reassured.

If you are comfortable with the dentist then your little one will be too. Your child will sense your anxiousness so try to leave that at home. My boys both go to our regular dentist (who is young) and love it. They can't wait to get the little bag with new toothbrushes and toothpaste when they leave. Check with your dentist if they allow you in the room. Mine will but prefer parents to stay in the waiting room. My boys are 5 and 7 and feel comfortable going alone now. I am not even sure what you are worrying about really. No one wants to scare your child and loose your business. Save that for when they do find a cavity. lol We haven't had that issue, yet.