As a parent, you want to help your child develop coping skills so they can face adult life as skillfully as possible down the road. Part of that is helping them feel comfortable in the dental chair so they can get the care they need for a healthy smile. And, as with any “first” for kids, a little preparation goes a long way towards helping it go smoothly. Keep reading for 5 easy things you can do to prepare your child for their first visit to a children’s dentist in Brampton and help them avoid developing the fears that plague so many adults!
1. Schedule the First Visit Early
The American Dental Association recommends that children see a family dentist for the first time when the first tooth comes in (or around their first birthday). Don’t worry too much if your child is older than that – just schedule them as soon as possible.
At this age, children won’t get a cleaning or X-rays, but they will have their teeth visually examined. Although these visits are very fast and simple, they’ll make seeing the dentist a lot easier as kids get older.
2. Read Books About the Dentist
Children’s books are a great tool for explaining the importance of seeing a dentist and addressing any fears kids may have. They also use positive, non-threatening language to describe checkups in ways your child can easily understand.
3. Use Kid-Friendly Language
When you talk about your child’s first visit to a children’s dentist in Brampton, make an effort to simplify things and be careful about the language you use. Don’t say things like, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” or “Don’t be scared.”
Children don’t start out with existing ideas that they should be scared about seeing the dentist, so these phrases can make them wonder why they need reassurance in the first place.
Also, instead of saying things like, “The dentist is going to examine your teeth,” you can simplify it by saying, “The dentist is going to count your teeth and make sure they’re all there.”
4. Encourage Good Oral Hygiene From the Start
Establishing good oral hygiene habits from an early age will make the first checkup easier. It not only helps young children get accustomed to having their teeth and gums cleaned, it also helps them feel more comfortable in the dental chair.
Also, since their teeth and gums will be healthier, they’re less likely to have cavities that require extensive dental work. The goal is to keep dental work to a minimum and only do routine checkups so that kids don’t associate the dentist with uncomfortable procedures!
5. Only Resort To Bribery If Necessary
Bribery can be a helpful tool if it’s used as positive reinforcement (and only in moderation). This could be something as simple as a small reward on the way home from the dentist if your child allows their teeth to be “counted.”
Seeing the dentist for the first time can feel a bit scary for any child, but with these 5 tips, you can make it much easier. And, most importantly, you’ll get them off to a great start for a lifetime of dental care!
About the Author
Dr. Vince Fava is a family dentist in Brampton with nearly 25 years of experience and also a father of three. He knows how important a child’s first checkup is and loves making that experience positive and fun for his pediatric patients. If your child is about to have their first checkup and you have any questions, he can be reached via his website.
Simrit has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She started her career with Assisting/Treatment co-ordinating and then moved on to becoming the Hygiene Co Ordinator in 2005. In 2012 she took on a new role as the Marketing Director. Though she loved being the Marketing Director, in 2015 she became the Office Manager of Torbram Dental. She completed her Level 1 Dental Assisting program with Career Canada in 1996 and then went on to complete her Level II Dental Assisting Diploma with Southwestern Medix in 1999. That is when she received NDAEB Certification. Simrit has been and still is an active member of the Ontario Dental Assistants Association since 2000. She enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and two kids and loves to explore new restaurants, especially high-tea venues.
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Jessica, one of our receptionists, is one of the smiling faces you see when you arrive at the office. She graduated with honours from Medix College with a diploma as a Level 2 Dental Assistant. When she is not happily helping our patients, Jessica enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, going to church on Sunday mornings, gardening and going on hikes.
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Naudia has been working at Torbram Dental for many years and is a valued member of our administrative team: as a dental receptionist and in our marketing team . She graduated from Everest College with honours level 1 and 2, with a diploma in Dental Assisting. Naudia is always there for our patients, making sure that they receive the care and attention they deserve. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and indulging in civil court TV shows.
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Ramandeep has been a part of Torbram Dental for the past 10 years as certified dental assistant. She obtained her level 1 certification from Everest college in Brampton in 2013, and then her level 2 certification in 2014 from Medix college. Her career path through the clinic has been recognized by staff at all levels who admire her work ethic and dedication to million dollar smiles. In her spare time, Ramandeep enjoys cooking and gardening, and spending time with her husband and 2 kids.
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Sana is a valued member of our dental hygiene team. In 2008 she completed her education at George Brown in Dental Assisting and in 2016 she earned her diploma in Dental Hygiene from the Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Sciences. Sana has been working in dentistry since 2008 and enjoys taking care of our patients and helping them with their oral health. She is married and is busy with her 2 young children. In her spare time, Sana enjoys going out with the family, trying out new places to eat and is looking forward to travelling with them in the future.
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Sanaria has been working at Torbram Dental for many years as a valued member of our Dental Assisting Team. She completed her level 2 dental assisting certification and previously obtained a degree in Education and worked as a quality control officer in the pharmaceutical industry. When not at work Sanaria loves to bake and cook. She also loves story time and enjoying the outdoors with her children. She always sees the positive side of life, believes that nothing is impossible and that if you set a goal and work at it, that you will make your dreams come true.
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Carrie has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She graduated from George Brown College in 1998 with a Dental Assistant Diploma and continued to further her education by completing a Dental Hygiene Diploma in 2001 at Durham College. Carrie is a highly trained and experienced Registered Dental Hygienist who continues to learn and grow by updating her knowledge to provide her clients with the best Oral Health Care techniques and information. Carrie is passionate about Dentistry and is known for her gentle and compassionate manner. She feels strongly about building lasting relationships and trust with her clients to help them understand that good Oral Health leads to good Overall Health. Carrie enjoys travelling, dabbling in decorating and a good Netflix series in her time off. Carrie resides in Halton Hills with her husband and two children.
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Daniela's interest in Dentistry began in Gr.6 when she wrote a speech entitled "My Life as a Toothbrush".
A Registered Dental Hygienist with 22 years of clinical experience, Daniela still has a great passion for her career. The most rewarding aspect for her is building lasting relationships with her patients, and seeing them through to a healthier smile.
Her thorough yet gentle touch will ensure a comfortable visit every time.
Daniela is a total Foodie and loves to cook and enjoys all types of cuisines. She loves Florida, Cruises, organizing things, and most of all spending time with family and friends.
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Stephanie Enjoys getting to know all new patients at Torbram Dental and catching up with long standing Patients. Stephanie enjoys spending quality time with her family. One of her favorite things to do with her daughter is teach and play the piano. Stephanie likes going on walks with her husband and enjoys spending as much time with him as he is an Active Member of the Canadian Army. On Sundays, Stephanie enjoys going to Church and looks forward to Sunday Dinner with her entire family. Stephanie's Favorite thing to do to start her day right is head to her local Starbucks and Grab her favorite drink, an iced black tea with light lemonade on warm days and a blonde vanilla latte on those cold winter days.
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