Taking a toddler to the dentist without the meltdown
Kids
4 min read
Dr. Marcus Reyes
Book the morning, skip the pep talk, and leave the words that scared you out of it.
Children are not frightened of dentists. They are frightened of the version of the dentist they have been warned about.
Come by the first birthday
The first visit should happen when the first tooth appears or around the first birthday, whichever comes first. It is a lap visit, a count of the teeth and a sticker. Nothing happens, which is exactly the point: the next visit is then ordinary.
Book the morning
Tired children have short fuses. Ten in the morning goes better than four in the afternoon, every time.
Do not promise it will not hurt
The words hurt, needle, drill and brave all introduce an idea the child did not have. Say we are going to count your teeth, because that is what we are doing. Let us bring up anything else, in our words, at the speed the child sets.
Let them watch you first
Bring a child along to your own cleaning once. Seeing a parent lie back, get polished and get up again does more than any picture book.
Bring the story, not the bribe
A reward afterwards is fine. A reward negotiated in the waiting room tells the child there is something to survive.
If your own dental history is bad, say so when you book and leave the talking to us. Children read parents faster than they read us.
This article is general information, not dental advice or a diagnosis. Results vary from person to person. If you have facial swelling or trouble breathing, call 911.
Written by
Dr. Marcus Reyes
Reviewed by the Brightleaf clinical team.
