It’s understandable for parents and caregivers to feel apprehensive about a child’s first pediatric dental cleaning. What if little Sally is fearful? Or Jimmy tries to bite the hygienist?
Don’t worry! At Kangaroo Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Mona Beylin and the Kangaroo Krew conduct pediatric dental cleanings daily—and we’ve experienced just about everything. It’s our pleasure to eliminate any concerns about a first dental cleaning by providing a few tips and tricks to make the process as comfortable and easy as possible.
Seven First-Time Pediatric Dental Cleaning Tips
Who says going to the dentist for the first time has to be a fearful event? At Kangaroo Smiles, we’re experts at providing parents with a few simple tricks that yield a whole lot of satisfaction when it comes to smooth-sailing pediatric dentist visits.
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Ensure Restfulness
Plan a pediatric dental cleaning visit when your baby is well rested. When scheduling a first dental visit, make sure to do so either after a nap or well before nap time to avoid sleepy fussiness.
- Offer Comfort and Examples
You are your child’s source of comfort and trust. Hearing from you that everything will be okay, and even mom/dad/grandpa/grandma get their teeth cleaned, will go a long way.
- Provide Instructional Resources
There are many helpful instructional videos you can watch with your little one to help prepare for a visit to the dentist.
- Go Shopping for Supplies
Allowing children to pick out their own toothbrushes will help them each feel like a “big kid,” which can further put them at ease for an upcoming dental visit.
- Establish Dental Habits Early
It’s best to establish dental hygiene habits before the first tooth emerges. Pediatric dentists recommend that parents use a washcloth or gauze to clean the gums. Later, children can graduate to a tiny speck of toothpaste on a child-appropriate, soft-bristled toothbrush (once teeth begin to pop up.)
- Bring a Comforting Item
Many children have a favorite stuffed animal, book, blanket, or other item that provides comfort. Feel free to encourage your little one to bring his or her favorite comfort object to a first dental visit.
- Have a Reward On-Hand
Bring a small reward (sticker, plushy, or toy) for a job well done following a successful pediatric dental cleaning session. This also promotes future positive feelings towards dental visits.
Comfort and Safety Your Child Deserves
At Kangaroo Smiles, we offer a safe, comfortable, and fun environment that caters specifically to children. If you have more questions about what to expect during a pediatric dental cleaning, or how to better prepare for a first dental visit, we are here to help!
To schedule your child’s first dental cleaning or to find out more information about the services we offer at Kangaroo Smiles, contact us any time at (978) 425-1496