Preparing Your Child for the Dentist

Your child's first visit to the dentist, which should be scheduled as soon as the first tooth erupts, can be a frightening experience for your youngster.

The Mouthhealthy.org website suggests how to make that first visit more pleasant:

• Schedule the appointment for the morning, when your child is more likely to feel cooperative and rested.
• Talk about the positives with your child, and avoid talking about any of your anxieties.
• Don't threaten or punish your child with a dentist visit, and don't bribe your child to go to the dentist.
• Calmly talk with your child about what will happen at the visit.