We understand that a new environment can be daunting and that you may have many questions about how to best prepare your little one. We want to help you to prepare your child for a wonderful relationship with their teeth and their dentist, so we have prepared a list of tips we hope you will find helpful.
When should we visit?
We usually recommend an official visit at 2 years old. However, prior to this it is also nice for your kids to follow you to your own checkup appointments just to become familiar with the clinic without the pressure of getting into the chair themselves. As they warm up to us we may see if we can take a peek while they’re in your lap.
What should I expect during our first visit?
We like to keep things light and fun at the first appointment for your child. Typically we will offer them a ride in the chair, coax them to open wide (like a
lion roaring) and count their teeth. We also review brushing habits, diet and keep an eye on the development of their jaws. If you have a child who takes a while to warm up don’t worry! We know that some children will hop straight in the chair and others will need a few visits to feel comfortable. We will be tailoring your visit to your child's temperament. At the end of the visit your child will also receive a show bag filled with goodies to remember us by.
How can I make the visit fun and exciting for my child? Children like things that are familiar, so it helps to prep them a little with discussions at home about the dentist in the weeks leading up to your visit. Keep the topics light hearted and easy. Talk about counting their teeth, opening wide like a crocodile and riding in the special chair that goes up and down. Avoid negatives like fillings and extractions. We want them to feel the dentist is going to be a pleasant experience.
It can be beneficial to read books or watch videos about visiting the dentist. This will be a good opportunity to open a conversation about their upcoming visit and what to expect. Some great videos include:
● Peppa Pigs First Dentist Experience
● A Visit to the Dentist with Super Simple Play
● BBC CBeeBies My First Dentist
Some wonderful books about first visiting the dentist:
● Peppa Pig Dentist trip
● Usborne First Experiences: Going to the Dentist
● Mr Men go to the Dentist
● Curious George Visits the Dentist
Tips and trick
● Arrive 10 minutes early for your appointment. This gives you time to fill out the all important new patient form and also allows you to be unhurried. Your child will have time to see, smell and hear the practice so they can be settled in before the nurse calls him or her in.
● Remember to talk about the upcoming visit in a positive light
.● Bring a favourite toy for company.
● Pop on a favourite superhero costume or clothes and emphasise to your child how brave they are coming to the dentist!
● Watching an older sibling who manages well at the dentist can be very helpful.
● Make an outing of the trip! Tie your visit to something fun like the playground
How do I look after my children's teeth?
Your child’s pearly whites are one of their great assets, their glowing smile is one of the first things people see. Good oral hygiene is an important habit to instil early in life, not only for the sake of their baby teeth but also their adult teeth. Did you know that holes in your teeth are made by bacteria? Holes in baby teeth may look harmless, but they’re providing a reservoir of bacteria to attack those adult teeth as they appear. We commonly hear questions from new parents asking about oral hygiene for their children, so we’ve worked up a handy guide to help you along.
When do we need to start brushing?
As soon as the first tooth appears you need to be using a soft cloth to wipe. However, encourage wiping the gums with gauze early on to get them used to having something in the mouth.
How long do we need to brush? Ideally, it takes 2 minutes to brush. Kids can be little speedsters though so you may find it helpful to set an egg timer (let them set it themselves if old enough), or play a favourite song and tell them to brush until the song finishes. What should we use to clean?
● Up to 1 year old: No toothpaste, use a damp face washer wrapped around your finger. Wrap your finger well! Even early and without teeth, they’ve got a strong bite on them!
● After 1 year start using a small soft toothbrush. The smaller the head the better. Kids have small mouths and teeth so they need a small brush to get in there. At this age kids still, like to chew the brush and their opening for you may be limited. So use the brush, but keep the face washer handy to get hard to reach spots.
● 2 years old and older: Now is the time to bring in a lower fluoride children's toothpaste. Continue with the small soft toothbrush. Use small circular motions with the brush and go all the way down to the gums.
And don’t forget the floss! As soon as the teeth are touching each other we recommend flossing. The small flossettes are quite often easier the manage than the normal string.
How can I encourage my child to brush?
● Start early. Even when they are infants, getting them used to a soft cloth on their gums prepares them.
● Let them watch you and their sibling's brush. Kids love to mimic. A good morning and night brushing habit of your own will encourage them to do the same. Use exaggerated movements and make it look like you’re having a great time.
● Let them have a go! When it’s early days we won’t expect them to brush well, but encourage them, even if it’s not as thorough as you would like. Make it a fun exercise. After they’ve had their turn, then make a game out of checking their mouth and having your own turn at cleaning for them.
● Songs, books and videos about brushing teeth can be helpful to make things look fun. The Wiggles also have an app which encourages and rewards brushing.
● Toothbrushes with a favourite character can be helpful. Alternatively, put stickers on the handle, or get a character cup for them to use for rinsing.
● For kids who are brushing on their own, something that shows them where they didn’t brush is a great tool! For example, Piksters Plaque Glo is a toothpaste which stains the plaque. When you use
the provided blue light your kids can see all the bugs they didn’t brush away! It’s a great visual cue. Plaque disclosing tablets are another great tool. They turn the plaque a pinkish colour, making it obvious to your child what they need to work on.